Hard enough for me; but ten time harder for Aline. [Clenching his hands in suppressed fury.] Oh, that such things should be allowed to happen here the world! [Shortly and firmly.] From the day I lost them, I had no heart for building churches.
Did you not like building the church-tower in our town?
I didn't like it. I know how free and happy I felt when that tower was finished.
I know that, too.
And now I shall never—never build anything of that sort again! Neither churches nor church-towers.
[Nods slowly.] Nothing but houses for people to live in.
Homes for human beings, Hilda.
But homes with high towers and pinnacles upon them.
If possible. [Adopts a lighter tone.] But, as I said before, that fire was the making of me—as a builder, I mean.
Why don't you call yourself an architect, like the others?