Hedda Gabler

afterwards I met Mrs. Elvsted, and she told me that he had been here early this morning. Hedda Yes, directly after you had gone. Tesman And he said that he had torn his manuscript to pieces⁠—eh? Hedda Yes, so he declared. Tesman Why, good heavens, he must have been completely out of his mind! And I suppose you thought it best not to give it back to him, Hedda? Hedda No, he did not get it. Tesman But of course you told him that we had it? Hedda No. Quickly. Did you tell Mrs. Elvsted? Tesman No; I thought I had better not. But you ought to have told him. Fancy, if, in desperation, he should go and do himself some injury! Let me have the manuscript, Hedda! I will take it to him at once. Where is it? Hedda Cold and immovable, leaning on the armchair. I have not got it. Tesman Have not got it? What in the world do you mean? Hedda I have burnt it⁠—every line of it. Tesman With a violent movement of terror. Burnt! Burnt Eilert’s manuscript! Hedda Don’t scream so. The servant might hear you. Tesman Burnt! Why, good God⁠—! No, no, no! It’s impossible! Hedda It is so, nevertheless. Tesman Do you know what you have done, Hedda? It’s unlawful appropriation of lost property. Fancy that! Just ask Judge Brack, and he’ll tell you what it is. Hedda I advise you not to speak of it⁠—either to Judge Brack or to anyone else. Tesman But how could you do anything so unheard-of? What put it into your head? What possessed you? Answer me that⁠—eh? Hedda Suppressing an almost imperceptible smile. I did it for your sake, George. Tesman For my sake! Hedda This morning, when you told me about what he had read to you⁠— Tesman Yes yes⁠—what then? Hedda You acknowledged that you envied him his work. Tesman Oh, of course I didn’t mean that literally. Hedda No matter⁠—I could not bear the idea that anyone should throw you into the shade. Tesman In an outburst of mingled doubt and joy. Hedda! Oh, is this true? But⁠—but⁠—I never knew you show your love like that before. Fancy that! Hedda Well, I may as well tell you that⁠—just at this time⁠—Impatiently breaking off. No, no; you can ask Aunt Julia. She well tell you, fast enough. Tesman Oh, I almost think I understand you, Hedda! Clasps his hands together. Great heavens! do you really mean it! Eh? Hedda Don’t shout so. The servant might hear. Tesman Laughing in irrepressible glee. The servant! Why, how absurd you are, Hedda. It’s only my old Berta! Why, I’ll tell Berta myself. Hedda Clenching her hands together in desperation. Oh, it is killing me⁠—it is killing me, all this! Tesman What is, Hedda? Eh? Hedda Coldly, controlling herself. All this⁠—absurdity⁠—George. Tesman Absurdity! Do you see anything absurd in my being overjoyed at the news! But after all⁠—perhaps I had better not say anything to Berta. Hedda Oh⁠—why not that too? Tesman No, no, not yet! But I must certainly tell Aunt Julia. And then that you have begun to call me George too! Fancy that! Oh, Aunt Julia will be so happy⁠—so happy! Hedda When she hears that I have burnt Eilert Lövborg’s manuscript⁠—for your sake? Tesman No, by the by⁠—that affair of the manuscript⁠—of course nobody must know about that. But that you love me so much,20 Hedda⁠—Aunt Julia must really share my joy in that! I wonder, now, whether this sort of thing is usual in young wives? Eh? Hedda I think you had better ask Aunt Julia that question too. Tesman I will indeed, some time or other. Looks uneasy and downcast again. And yet the manuscript⁠—the manuscript! Good God! it is terrible to think what will become of poor Eilert now. Mrs. Elvsted, dressed as in the first Act, with hat and cloak, enters by the hall door. Mrs. Elvsted Greets them hurriedly, and says in evident agitation. Oh, dear Hedda, forgive my coming again. Hedda What is the matter with you, Thea? Tesman Something about Eilert Lövborg again⁠—eh? Mrs. Elvsted Yes! I am dreadfully afraid some misfortune has happened to him. Hedda Seized her arm. Ah⁠—do you think so? Tesman Why, good Lord⁠—what makes you think that, Mrs. Elvsted? Mrs. Elvsted I heard them talking of him at my boardinghouse⁠—just as I came in. Oh, the most incredible rumours are afloat about him today. Tesman Yes, fancy, so I heard too! And I can bear witness that he went straight home to bed last night. Fancy that! Hedda Well, what did they say at the boardinghouse? Mrs. Elvsted Oh, I couldn’t make out anything clearly. Either they knew nothing definite, or else⁠—. They stopped talking when the saw me; and I did not dare to ask. Tesman Moving about uneasily. We must hope⁠—we must hope that you misunderstood them, Mrs. Elvsted. Mrs. Elvsted No, no; I am sure it was of him they were talking. And I heard something about the hospital or⁠— Tesman The hospital? Hedda No⁠—surely that cannot be! Mrs. Elvsted Oh, I was in such mortal terror! I went to his lodgings and asked for him there. Hedda You could make up your mind to that, Thea! Mrs. Elvsted What else could I do? I really could bear the suspense no longer. Tesman But you didn’t find him either⁠—eh? Mrs. Elvsted No. And the people knew nothing about him. He hadn’t been home since yesterday afternoon, they said. Tesman Yesterday! Fancy, how could they say that? Mrs. Elvsted Oh, I am sure something terrible must have happened to him. Tesman Hedda dear⁠—how would it be if I were to go and make inquiries⁠—? Hedda No, no⁠—don’t you mix yourself up in this affair. Judge Brack, with his hat in his hand, enters by the hall door, which Berta opens, and closes behind him. He looks grave and bows in silence. Tesman Oh, is that you, my dear Judge? Eh? Brack Yes. It was imperative I should see you this evening. Tesman I can see you have heard the news about Aunt Rina? Brack Yes, that among other things. Tesman Isn’t it sad⁠—eh? Brack Well, my dear Tesman, that depends on how you look at it. Tesman Looks doubtfully at him. Has anything else happened? Brack Yes. Hedda In suspense. Anything sad, Judge