Previous - next
Indeed! They must have taken him home then.
TESMAN.
Yes, so it would appear. And Brack, too, left us.
HEDDA.
And what have you been doing with yourself since?
TESMAN.
Well, I and some of the others went home with one of the party, a
jolly fellow, and took our morning coffee with him; or perhaps I
should rather call it our night coffee--eh? But now, when I have
rested a little, and given Eilert, poor fellow, time to have his
sleep out, I must take this back to him.
HEDDA.
[Holds out her hand for the packet.] No--don't give it to him! Not
in such a hurry, I mean. Let me read it first.
TESMAN.
No, my dearest Hedda, I mustn't, I really mustn't.
HEDDA.
You must not?
TESMAN.
No--for you can imagine what a state of despair he will be in when
he wakens and misses the manuscript. He has no copy of it, you must
know! He told me so.
HEDDA.
[Looking searchingly at him.] Can such a thing not be reproduced?
Written over again?
TESMAN.
No, I don't think that would be possible. For the inspiration, you
see---
HEDDA.
Yes, yes--I suppose it depends on that---[Lightly.] But, by-the-bye
--here is a letter for you.
TESMAN.
Fancy---!
HEDDA.
[Handing it to him.] It came early this morning.
TESMAN.
It's from Aunt Julia! What can it be? [He lays the packet on the
other footstool, opens the letter, runs his eye through it, and jumps
up.] Oh, Hedda--she says that poor Aunt Rina is dying!
HEDDA.
Well, we were prepared for that.
TESMAN.
And that if I want to see her again, I must make haste. I'll run in
to them at once.
HEDDA.
[Suppressing a smile.] Will you run?
TESMAN.
Oh, my dearest Hedda--if you could only make up your mind to come with
me! Just think!
HEDDA.
[Rises and says wearily, repelling the idea.] No, no don't ask me. I
will not look upon sickness and death. I loathe all sorts of ugliness.
TESMAN.
Well, well, then---! [Bustling around.] My hat---? My overcoat---?
Oh, in the hall---. I do hope I mayn't come too late, Hedda! Eh?
HEDDA.
Oh, if you run--- [BERTA appears at the hall door.
BERTA.
Judge Brack is at the door, and wishes to know if he may come in.
TESMAN.
At this time! No, I can't possibly see him.
HEDDA.
But I can. [To BERTA.] Ask Judge Brack to come in. [BERTA goes out.
HEDDA.
[Quickly, whispering.] The parcel, Tesman!
[She snatches it up from the stool.
TESMAN.
Yes, give it to me!
HEDDA.
No, no, I will keep it till you come back.
[She goes to the writing-table and places it in the bookcase.
TESMAN stands in a flurry of haste, and cannot get his
gloves on.
JUDGE BRACK enters from the hall.
HEDDA.
[Nodding to him.
Previous - next
