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books too, Auntie.
MISS TESMAN.
Oh yes, I suppose so. [More confidentially, and lowering her voice
a little.] But listen now, George,--have you nothing--nothing special
to tell me?
TESMAN.
As to our journey?
MISS TESMAN.
Yes.
TESMAN.
No, I don't know of anything except what I have told you in my
letters. I had a doctor's degree conferred on me--but that I told
you yesterday.
MISS TESMAN.
Yes, yes, you did. But what I mean is--haven't you any--any--
expectations---?
TESMAN.
Expectations?
MISS TESMAN.
Why you know, George--I'm your old auntie!
TESMAN.
Why, of course I have expectations.
MISS TESMAN.
Ah!
TESMAN.
I have every expectation of being a professor one of these days.
MISS TESMAN.
Oh yes, a professor---
TESMAN.
Indeed, I may say I am certain of it. But my dear Auntie--you know
all about that already!
MISS TESMAN.
[Laughing to herself.] Yes, of course I do. You are quite right
there. [Changing the subject.] But we were talking about your
journey. It must have cost a great deal of money, George?
Tesman.
Well, you see--my handsome travelling-scholarship went a good way.
MISS TESMAN.
But I can't understand how you can have made it go far enough for two.
TESMAN.
No, that's not easy to understand--eh?
MISS TESMAN.
And especially travelling with a lady--they tell me that makes it ever
so much more expensive.
TESMAN.
Yes, of course--it makes it a little more expensive. But Hedda had to
have this trip, Auntie! She really had to. Nothing else would have
done.
MISS TESMAN.
No no, I suppose not. A wedding-tour seems to be quite indispensable
nowadays.--But tell me now--have you gone thoroughly over the house
yet?
TESMAN.
Yes, you may be sure I have. I have been afoot ever since daylight.
MISS TESMAN.
And what do you think of it all?
TESMAN.
I'm delighted! Quite delighted! Only I can't think what we are to
do with the two empty rooms between this inner parlour and Hedda's
bedroom.
MISS TESMAN.
[Laughing.] Oh my dear George, I daresay you may find some use for
them--in the course of time.
TESMAN.
Why of course you are quite right, Aunt Julia! You mean as my library
increases--eh?
MISS TESMAN.
Yes, quite so, my dear boy. It was your library I was thinking of.
TESMAN.
I am specially pleased on Hedda's account. Often and often, before
we were engaged, she said that she would never care to live anywhere
but in Secretary Falk's villa.(2)
MISS TESMAN.
Yes, it was lucky that this very house should come into the market,
just after you had started.
TESMAN.
Yes, Aunt Julia, the luck was on our side, wasn't it--eh?
MISS TESMAN.
But the expense, my dear George! You will find it very expensive,
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