Hedda Gabler

Lövborg come about? Mrs. Elvsted Oh it grew up gradually. I gained a sort of influence over him. Hedda Indeed? Mrs. Elvsted He gave up his old habits. Not because I asked him to, for I never dared do that. But of course he saw how repulsive they were to me; and so he dropped them. Hedda Concealing an involuntary smile of scorn. Then you have reclaimed him⁠—as the saying goes⁠—my little Thea. Mrs. Elvsted So he says himself, at any rate. And he, on his side, has made a real human being of me⁠—taught me to think, and to understand so many things. Hedda Did he give you lessons too, then? Mrs. Elvsted No, not exactly lessons. But he talked to me⁠—talked about such an infinity of things. And then came the lovely, happy time when I began to share in his work⁠—when he allowed me to help him! Hedda Oh he did, did he? Mrs. Elvsted Yes! He never wrote anything without my assistance. Hedda You were two good comrades, in fact? Mrs. Elvsted Eagerly. Comrades! Yes, fancy, Hedda⁠—that is the very word he used!⁠—Oh, I ought to feel perfectly happy; and yet I cannot; for I don’t know how long it will last. Hedda Are you no surer of him than that? Mrs. Elvsted Gloomily. A woman’s shadow stands between Eilert Lövborg and me. Hedda Looks at her anxiously. Who can that be? Mrs. Elvsted I don’t know. Someone he knew in his⁠—in his past. Someone he has never been able wholly to forget. Hedda What has he told you⁠—about this? Mrs. Elvsted He has only once⁠—quite vaguely⁠—alluded to it. Hedda Well! And what did he say? Mrs. Elvsted He said that when they parted, she threatened to shoot him with a pistol. Hedda With cold composure. Oh nonsense! No one does that sort of thing here. Mrs. Elvsted No. And that is why I think it must have been that red-haired singing woman whom he once⁠— Hedda Yes, very likely. Mrs. Elvsted For I remember they used to say of her that she carried loaded firearms. Hedda Oh⁠—then of course it must have been she. Mrs. Elvsted Wringing her hands. And now just fancy, Hedda⁠—I hear that this singing woman⁠—that she is in town again! Oh, I don’t know what to do⁠— Hedda Glancing towards the inner room. Hush! Here comes Tesman. Rises and whispers. Thea⁠—all this must remain between you and me. Mrs. Elvsted Springing up. Oh yes⁠—yes! For heaven’s sake⁠—! George Tesman, with a letter in his hand, comes from the right through the inner room. Tesman There now⁠—the epistle is finished. Hedda That’s right. And now Mrs. Elvsted is just going. Wait a moment⁠—I’ll go with you to the garden gate. Tesman Do you think Berta could post the letter, Hedda dear? Hedda Takes it. I will tell her to. Berta enters from the hall. Berta Judge Brack wishes to know if Mrs. Tesman will receive him. Hedda Yes, ask Judge Brack to come in. And look here⁠—put this letter in the post. Berta Taking the letter. Yes, ma’am. She opens the door for Judge Brack and goes out herself. Brack is a man of forty-five; thick set, but well-built and elastic 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 shortcut ends. He wears a well-cut walking suit, a little too youthful for his age. He uses an eyeglass, 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 rearrangement 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 by⁠—I have one piece of news for you. Tesman Well? Brack Your old friend, Eilert Lövborg, has returned to town. Tesman I know that already. Brack Indeed! How did you learn it? Tesman From that lady who went out with Hedda. Brack Really? What was her name? I didn’t quite catch it. Tesman Mrs. Elvsted. Brack Aha⁠—Sheriff Elvsted’s wife? Of course⁠—he has been living up in their regions. Tesman And fancy⁠—I’m delighted to hear that he is quite a reformed character. Brack So they say. Tesman And then he has published a new book⁠—eh? Brack Yes, indeed he