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Oh, very well. [She goes softly out by the hall door.
HEDDA.
[Is wakened by the shutting of the door, and looks up.] What's
that---?
MRS. ELVSTED.
It was only the servant.
HEDDA.
[Looking about her.] Oh, we're here---! Yes, now I remember. [Sits
erect upon the sofa, stretches herself, and rubs her eyes.] What
o'clock is it, Thea?
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Looks at her watch.] It's past seven.
HEDDA.
When did Tesman come home?
MRS. ELVSTED.
He has not come.
HEDDA.
Not come home yet?
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Rising.] No one has come.
HEDDA.
Think of our watching and waiting here till four in the morning---
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Wringing her hands.] And how I watched and waited for him!
HEDDA.
[Yawns, and says with her hand before her mouth.] Well well--we might
have spared ourselves the trouble.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Did you get a little sleep?
HEDDA.
Oh yes; I believe I have slept pretty well. Have you not?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Not for a moment. I couldn't, Hedda!--not to save my life.
HEDDA.
[Rises and goes towards her.] There there there! There's nothing to
be so alarmed about. I understand quite well what has happened.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Well, what do you think? Won't you tell me?
HEDDA.
Why, of course it has been a very late affair at Judge Brack's---
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes, yes--that is clear enough. But all the same---
HEDDA.
And then, you see, Tesman hasn't cared to come home and ring us up in
the middle of the night. [Laughing.] Perhaps he wasn't inclined to
show himself either--immediately after a jollification.
MRS. ELVSTED.
But in that case--where can he have gone?
HEDDA.
Of course he has gone to his Aunts' and slept there. They have his
old room ready for him.
MRS. ELVSTED.
No, he can't be with them for a letter has just come for him from
Miss Tesman. There it lies.
HEDDA.
Indeed? [Looks at the address.] Why yes, it's addressed in Aunt
Julia's hand. Well then, he has remained at Judge Brack's. And
as for Eilert Lovborg--he is sitting, with vine leaves in his hair,
reading his manuscript.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh, Hedda, you are just saying things you don't believe a bit.
HEDDA.
You really are a little blockhead, Thea.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh yes, I suppose I am.
HEDDA.
And how mortally tired you look.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes, I am mortally tired.
HEDDA.
Well then, you must do as I tell you. You must go into my room and
lie down for a little while.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh no, no--I shouldn't be able to sleep.
HEDDA.
I am sure you would.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Well, but you husband is certain to come soon now; and then I want to
know at once---
HEDDA.
I shall take care to let you know when he comes.
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