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BERTA.
[Taking it.] I'll put it in the attic.
[She goes out by the hall door.
TESMAN.
Fancy, Auntie--I had the whole of that portmanteau chock full of
copies of the documents. You wouldn't believe how much I have picked
up from all the archives I have been examining--curious old details
that no one has had any idea of---
MISS TESMAN.
Yes, you don't seem to have wasted you time on your wedding trip,
George.
TESMAN.
No, that I haven't. But do take off your bonnet, Auntie. Look here!
Let me untie the strings--eh?
MISS TESMAN.
[While he does so.] Well well--this is just as if you were still at
home with us.
TESMAN.
[With the bonnet in his hand, looks at it from all sides.] Why, what
a gorgeous bonnet you've been investing in!
MISS TESMAN.
I bought it on Hedda's account.
TESMAN.
On Hedda's account? Eh?
MISS TESMAN.
Yes, so that Hedda needn't be ashamed of me if we happened to go out
together.
TESMAN.
[Patting her cheek.] You always think of everything, Aunt Julia.
[Lays the bonnet on a chair beside the table.] And now, look here--
suppose we sit comfortably on the sofa and have a little chat, till
Hedda comes.
[They seat themselves. She places her parasol in the corner
of the sofa.
MISS TESMAN.
[Takes both his hands and looks at him.] What a delight it is to
have you again, as large as life, before my very eyes, George! My
George--my poor brother's own boy!
TESMAN.
And it's a delight for me, too, to see you again, Aunt Julia! You,
who have been father and mother in one to me.
MISS TESMAN.
Oh yes, I know you will always keep a place in your heart for your
old aunts.
TESMAN.
And what about Aunt Rina? No improvement--eh?
MISS TESMAN.
Oh, no--we can scarcely look for any improvement in her case, poor
thing. There she lies, helpless, as she has lain for all these years.
But heaven grant I may not lose her yet awhile! For if I did, I don't
know what I should make of my life, George--especially now that I
haven't you to look after any more.
TESMAN.
[Patting her back.] There there there---!
MISS TESMAN.
[Suddenly changing her tone.] And to think that here are you a married
man, George!--And that you should be the one to carry off Hedda Gabler
--the beautiful Hedda Gabler! Only think of it--she, that was so
beset with admirers!
TESMAN.
[Hums a little and smiles complacently.] Yes, I fancy I have several
good friends about town who would like to stand in my shoes--eh?
MISS TESMAN.
And then this fine long wedding-tour you have had! More than five--
nearly six months---
TESMAN.
Well, for me it has been a sort of tour of research as well. I have
had to do so much grubbing among old records--and to read no end of
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