HILDA.
Yes, it is; and the ten years are gone. And you didn"t come--as you had promised me.
SOLNESS.
Promised you? Threatened, I suppose you mean?
HILDA.
I don"t think there was any sort of threat in that.
SOLNESS.
Well then, a little bit of fun.
HILDA.
Was that all you wanted? To make fun of me?
SOLNESS.
Well, or to have a little joke with you. Upon my soul, I don"t recollect. But it must have been something of that kind; for you were a mere child then.
HILDA.
Oh, perhaps I wasn"t quite such a child either. Not such a mere chit as you imagine.
SOLNESS.
[Looks searchingly at her.] Did you really and seriously expect me to come again?
HILDA.
[Conceals a half-teasing smile.] Yes, indeed! I did expect that of you.
SOLNESS.
That I should come back to your home, and take you away with me?
HILDA.
Just like a troll--yes.
SOLNESS.
And make a princess of you?
HILDA.
That"s what you promised.
SOLNESS.
And give you a kingdom as well?
HILDA.
[Looks up at the ceiling.] Why not? Of course it need not have been an actual, every-day sort of a kingdom.
SOLNESS.
But something else just as good?
HILDA.
Yes, at least as good. [Looks at him a moment.] I thought, if you could build the highest church-towers in the world, you could surely manage to raise a kingdom of one sort or another as well.
SOLNESS.
[Shakes his head.] I can"t quite make you out, Miss w.a.n.gel.
HILDA.
Can you not? To me it seems all so simple.
SOLNESS.
No, I can"t make up my mind whether you mean all you say, or are simply having a joke with me.