Hedda Gabler

George! Things have looked black enough for us, sometimes; but, thank heaven, now you have nothing to fear. Tesman Yes, it is really marvellous how everything has turned out for the best. Miss Tesman And the people who opposed you⁠—who wanted to bar the way for you⁠—now you have them at your feet. They have fallen, George. Your most dangerous rival⁠—his fall was the worst.⁠—And now he has to lie on the bed he has made for himself⁠—poor misguided creature. Tesman Have you heard anything of Eilert? Since I went away, I mean. Miss Tesman Only that he is said to have published a new book. Tesman What! Eilert Lövborg! Recently⁠—eh? Miss Tesman Yes, so they say. Heaven knows whether it can be worth anything! Ah, when your new book appears⁠—that will be another story, George! What is it to be about? Tesman It will deal with the domestic industries of Brabant during the Middle Ages. Miss Tesman Fancy⁠—to be able to write on such a subject as that! Tesman However, it may be some time before the book is ready. I have all these collections to arrange first, you see. Miss Tesman Yes, collecting and arranging⁠—no one can beat you at that. There you are my poor brother’s own son. Tesman I am looking forward eagerly to setting to work at it; especially now that I have my own delightful home to work in. Miss Tesman And, most of all, now that you have got the wife of your heart, my dear George. Tesman Embracing her. Oh yes, yes, Aunt Julia! Hedda⁠—she is the best part of it all! I believe I hear her coming⁠—eh? Hedda enters from the left through the inner room. Her face and figure show refinement and distinction. Her complexion is pale and opaque. Her steel-grey eyes express a cold, unruffled repose. Her hair is of an agreeable brown, but not particularly abundant. She is dressed in a tasteful, somewhat loose-fitting morning gown. Miss Tesman Going to meet Hedda. Good morning, my dear Hedda! Good morning, and a hearty welcome! Hedda Holds out her hand. Good morning, dear Miss Tesman! So early a call! That is kind of you. Miss Tesman With some embarrassment. Well⁠—has the bride slept well in her new home? Hedda Oh yes, thanks. Passably. Tesman Laughing. Passably! Come, that’s good, Hedda! You were sleeping like a stone when I got up. Hedda Fortunately. Of course one has always to accustom one’s self to new surroundings, Miss Tesman⁠—little by little. Looking towards the left. Oh, there the servant has gone and opened the veranda door, and let in a whole flood of sunshine. Miss Tesman Going towards the door. Well, then we will shut it. Hedda No no, not that! Tesman, please draw the curtains. That will give a softer light. Tesman At the door. All right⁠—all right.⁠—There now, Hedda, now you have both shade and fresh air. Hedda Yes, fresh air we certainly must have, with all these stacks of flowers⁠—. But⁠—won’t you sit down, Miss Tesman? Miss Tesman No, thank you. Now that I have seen that everything is all right here⁠—thank heaven!⁠—I must be getting home again. My sister is lying longing for me, poor thing. Tesman Give her my very best love, Auntie; and say I shall look in and see her later in the day. Miss Tesman Yes, yes, I’ll be sure to tell her. But by the by, George⁠—feeling in her dress pocket⁠—I had almost forgotten⁠—I have something for you here. Tesman What is it, Auntie? Eh? Miss Tesman Produces a flat parcel wrapped in newspaper and hands it to him. Look here, my dear boy. Tesman Opening the parcel. Well, I declare!⁠—Have you really saved them for me, Aunt Julia! Hedda! isn’t this touching⁠—eh? Hedda Beside the whatnot on the right. Well, what is it? Tesman My old morning shoes! My slippers. Hedda Indeed. I remember you often spoke of them while we were abroad. Tesman Yes, I missed them terribly. Goes up to her. Now you shall see them, Hedda! Hedda Going towards the stove. Thanks, I really don’t care about it. Tesman Following her. Only think⁠—ill as she was, Aunt Rina embroidered these for me. Oh you can’t think how many associations cling to them. Hedda At the table. Scarcely for me. Miss Tesman Of course not for Hedda, George. Tesman Well, but now that she belongs to the family, I thought⁠— Hedda Interrupting. We shall never get on with this servant, Tesman. Miss Tesman Not get on with Berta? Tesman Why, dear, what puts that in your head? Eh? Hedda Pointing. Look there! She has left her old bonnet lying about on a chair. Tesman In consternation, drops the slippers on the floor. Why, Hedda⁠— Hedda Just fancy, if anyone should come in and see it! Tesman But Hedda⁠—that’s Aunt Julia’s bonnet. Hedda Is it! Miss Tesman Taking up the bonnet. Yes, indeed it’s mine. And, what’s more, it’s not old, Madam Hedda. Hedda I really did not look closely at it, Miss Tesman. Miss Tesman Trying on the bonnet. Let me tell you it’s the first time I have worn it⁠—the very first time. Tesman And a very nice bonnet it is too⁠—quite a beauty! Miss Tesman Oh, it’s no such great things, George. Looks around her. My parasol⁠—? Ah, here. Takes it. For this is mine too⁠—mutters⁠—not Berta’s. Tesman A new bonnet and a new parasol! Only think, Hedda. Hedda Very handsome indeed. Tesman Yes, isn’t it? Eh? But Auntie, take a good look at Hedda before you go! See how handsome she is! Miss Tesman Oh, my dear boy, there’s nothing new in that. Hedda was always lovely. She nods and goes toward the right. Tesman Following. Yes, but have you noticed what splendid condition she is in? How she has filled out on the journey? Hedda Crossing the room. Oh, do be quiet⁠—! Miss Tesman Who has stopped and turned. Filled out? Tesman Of course you don’t notice it so much now that she has that dress on. But I, who can see⁠— Hedda At the glass door, impatiently. Oh, you can’t see anything. Tesman It must be the