. So--[tapping
the table]--the castle on the table! It is my castle! I will have it at
once!

SOLNESS.

[More seriously, leans over towards her, with his arms on the table.]
What sort of castle have you imagined, Hilda?

[Her expression becomes more and more veiled. She seems gazing
inwards at herself.

HILDA.

[Slowly.] My castle shall stand on a height--on a very great
height--with a clear outlook on all sides, so that I can see far--far
around.

SOLNESS.

And no doubt it is to have a high tower!

HILDA.

A tremendously high tower. And at the very top of the tower there shall
be a balcony. And I will stand out upon it--

SOLNESS.

[Involuntarily clutches at his forehead.] How can you like to stand at
such a dizzy height--?

HILDA.

Yes, I will! Right up there will I stand and look down on the other
people--on those that are building churches, and homes for mother and
father and the troop of children. And you may come up and look on at it,
too.

SOLNESS.

[In a low tone.] Is the builder to be allowed to come up beside the
princess?

HILDA.

If the builder will.

SOLNESS.

[More softly.] Then I think the builder will come.

HILDA.

[Nods.] The builder--he will come.

SOLNESS.

But he will never be able to build any more. Poor builder!

HILDA.

[Animated.] Oh, yes, he will! We two will set to work together. And then
we will build the loveliest--the very loveliest--thing in all the world.

SOLNESS.

[Intently.] Hilda--tell me what that is!

HILDA.

[Looks smilingly at him, shakes her head a little, pouts, and speaks as
if to a child.] Builders--they are such very--very stupid people.

SOLNESS.

Yes, no doubt they are stupid. But now tell me what it is--the loveliest
thing in the world--that we two are to build together?

HILDA.

[Is silent a little while, then says with an indefinable expression in
her eyes.] Castles in the air.

SOLNESS.

Castles in the air?

HILDA.

[Nods.] Castles in the air, yes! Do you know what sort of thing a castle
in the air is?

SOLNESS.

It is the loveliest thing in the world, you say.

HILDA.

[Rises with vehemence, and makes a gesture of repulsion with her hand.]
Yes, to be sure it is! Castles in the air--they are so easy to build,
too--[looks scornfully at him]--especially for the builders who have
a--a dizzy conscience.

SOLNESS.

[Rises.] After this day we two will bu