Hedda Gabler

her parasol in the corner of the sofa. Miss Tesman Takes both his hands and looks at him. What a delight it is to have you again, as large as life, before my very eyes, George! My George⁠—my poor brother’s own boy! Tesman And it’s a delight for me, too, to see you again, Aunt Julia! You, who have been father and mother in one to me. Miss Tesman Oh yes, I know you will always keep a place in your heart for your old aunts. Tesman And what about Aunt Rina? No improvement⁠—eh? Miss Tesman Oh, no⁠—we can scarcely look for any improvement in her case, poor thing. There she lies, helpless, as she has lain for all these years. But heaven grant I may not lose her yet awhile! For if I did, I don’t know what I should make of my life, George⁠—especially now that I haven’t you to look after any more. Tesman Patting her back. There there there⁠—! Miss Tesman Suddenly changing her tone. And to think that here are you a married man, George!⁠—And that you should be the one to carry off Hedda Gabler⁠—the beautiful Hedda Gabler! Only think of it⁠—she, that was so beset with admirers! Tesman Hums a little and smiles complacently. Yes, I fancy I have several good friends about town who would like to stand in my shoes⁠—eh? Miss Tesman And then this fine long wedding tour you have had! More than five⁠—nearly six months⁠— Tesman Well, for me it has been a sort of tour of research as well. I have had to do so much grubbing among old records⁠—and to read no end of books too, Auntie. Miss Tesman Oh yes, I suppose so. More confidentially, and lowering her voice a little. But listen now, George⁠—have you nothing⁠—nothing special to tell me? Tesman As to our journey? Miss Tesman Yes. Tesman No, I don’t know of anything except what I have told you in my letters. I had a doctor’s degree conferred on me⁠—but that I told you yesterday. Miss Tesman Yes, yes, you did. But what I mean is⁠—haven’t you any⁠—any⁠—expectations⁠—? Tesman Expectations? Miss Tesman Why you know, George⁠—I’m your old auntie! Tesman Why, of course I have expectations. Miss Tesman Ah! Tesman I have every expectation of being a professor one of these days. Miss Tesman Oh yes, a professor⁠— Tesman Indeed, I may say I am certain of it. But my dear Auntie⁠—you know all about that already! Miss Tesman Laughing to herself. Yes, of course I do. You are quite right there. Changing the subject. But we were talking about your journey. It must have cost a great deal of money, George? Tesman Well, you see⁠—my handsome travelling scholarship went a good way. Miss Tesman But I can’t understand how you can have made it go far enough for two. Tesman No, that’s not easy to understand⁠—eh? Miss Tesman And especially travelling with a lady⁠—they tell me that makes it ever so much more expensive. Tesman Yes, of course⁠—it makes it a little more expensive. But Hedda had to have this trip, Auntie! She really had to. Nothing else would have done. Miss Tesman No no, I suppose not. A wedding tour seems to be quite indispensable nowadays.⁠—But tell me now⁠—have you gone thoroughly over the house yet? Tesman Yes, you may be sure I have. I have been afoot ever since daylight. Miss Tesman And what do you think of it all? Tesman I’m delighted! Quite delighted! Only I can’t think what we are to do with the two empty rooms between this inner parlour and Hedda’s bedroom. Miss Tesman Laughing. Oh my dear George, I daresay you may find some use for them⁠—in the course of time. Tesman Why of course you are quite right, Aunt Julia! You mean as my library increases⁠—eh? Miss Tesman Yes, quite so, my dear boy. It was your library I was thinking of. Tesman I am specially pleased on Hedda’s account. Often and often, before we were engaged, she said that she would never care to live anywhere but in Secretary Falk’s villa.9 Miss Tesman Yes, it was lucky that this very house should come into the market, just after you had started. Tesman Yes, Aunt Julia, the luck was on our side, wasn’t it⁠—eh? Miss Tesman But the expense, my dear George! You will find it very expensive, all this. Tesman Looks at her, a little cast down. Yes, I suppose I shall, Aunt! Miss Tesman Oh, frightfully! Tesman How much do you think? In round numbers?⁠—Eh? Miss Tesman Oh, I can’t even guess until all the accounts come in. Tesman Well, fortunately, Judge Brack has secured the most favourable terms for me, so he said in a letter to Hedda. Miss Tesman Yes, don’t be uneasy, my dear boy.⁠—Besides, I have given security for the furniture and all the carpets. Tesman Security? You? My dear Aunt Julia⁠—what sort of security could you give? Miss Tesman I have given a mortgage on our annuity. Tesman Jumps up. What! On your⁠—and Aunt Rina’s annuity! Miss Tesman Yes, I knew of no other plan, you see. Tesman Placing himself before her. Have you gone out of your senses, Auntie? Your annuity⁠—it’s all that you and Aunt Rina have to live upon. Miss Tesman Well well⁠—don’t get so excited about it. It’s only a matter of form you know⁠—Judge Brack assured me of that. It was he that was kind enough to arrange the whole affair for me. A mere matter of form, he said. Tesman Yes, that may be all very well. But nevertheless⁠— Miss Tesman You will have your own salary to depend upon now. And, good heavens, even if we did have to pay up a little⁠—! To eke things out a bit at the start⁠—! Why, it would be nothing but a pleasure to us. Tesman Oh Auntie⁠—will you never be tired of making sacrifices for me! Miss Tesman Rises and lays her hand on his shoulders. Have I any other happiness in this world except to smooth your way for you, my dear boy. You, who have had neither father nor mother to depend on. And now we have reached the goal,