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in his movements. His face is roundish with an aristocratic
profile. His hair is short, still almost black, and carefully
dressed. His eyebrows thick. His moustaches are also thick,
with short-cut ends. He wears a well-cut walking-suit, a
little too youthful for his age. He uses an eye-glass, which
he now and then lets drop.
JUDGE BRACK.
[With his hat in his hand, bowing.] May one venture to call so early
in the day?
HEDDA.
Of course one may.
TESMAN.
[Presses his hand.] You are welcome at any time. [Introducing him.]
Judge Brack--Miss Rysing---
HEDDA.
Oh---!
BRACK.
[Bowing.] Ah--delighted---
HEDDA.
[Looks at him and laughs.] It's nice to have a look at you by
daylight, Judge!
BRACK.
So you find me--altered?
HEDDA.
A little younger, I think.
BRACK.
Thank you so much.
TESMAN.
But what do you think of Hedda--eh? Doesn't she look flourishing?
She has actually---
HEDDA.
Oh, do leave me alone. You haven't thanked Judge Brack for all the
trouble he has taken---
BRACK.
Oh, nonsense--it was a pleasure to me---
HEDDA.
Yes, you are a friend indeed. But here stands Thea all impatience to
be off--so _au revoir_ Judge. I shall be back again presently.
[Mutual salutations. MRS. ELVSTED and HEDDA go out by the hall
door.
BRACK.
Well,--is your wife tolerably satisfied---
TESMAN.
Yes, we can't thank you sufficiently. Of course she talks of a little
re-arrangement here and there; and one or two things are still wanting.
We shall have to buy some additional trifles.
BRACK.
Indeed!
TESMAN.
But we won't trouble you about these things. Hedda say she herself
will look after what is wanting.--Shan't we sit down? Eh?
BRACK.
Thanks, for a moment. [Seats himself beside the table.] There is
something I wanted to speak to about, my dear Tesman.
TESMAN.
Indeed? Ah, I understand! [Seating himself.] I suppose it's the
serious part of the frolic that is coming now. Eh?
BRACK.
Oh, the money question is not so very pressing; though, for that
matter, I wish we had gone a little more economically to work.
TESMAN.
But that would never have done, you know! Think of Hedda, my dear
fellow! You, who know her so well---! I couldn't possibly ask her
to put up with a shabby style of living!
BRACK.
No, no--that is just the difficulty.
TESMAN.
And then--fortunately--it can't be long before I receive my
appointment.
BRACK.
Well, you see--such things are often apt to hang fire for a long time.
TESMAN.
Have you heard anything definite? Eh?
BRACK.
Nothing exactly definite---. [Interrupting himself.] But by-the-bye
--I have one piece of news for you.
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