Hedda Gabler

mountain air in the Tyrol⁠— Hedda Curtly, interrupting. I am exactly as I was when I started. Tesman So you insist; but I’m quite certain you are not. Don’t you agree with me, Auntie? Miss Tesman Who has been gazing at her with folded hands. Hedda is lovely⁠—lovely⁠—lovely. Goes up to her, takes her head between both hands, draws it downwards, and kisses her hair. God bless and preserve Hedda Tesman⁠—for George’s sake. Hedda Gently freeing herself. Oh⁠—! Let me go. Miss Tesman In quiet emotion. I shall not let a day pass without coming to see you. Tesman No you won’t, will you, Auntie? Eh? Miss Tesman Goodbye⁠—goodbye! She goes out by the hall door. Tesman accompanies her. The door remains half open. Tesman can be heard repeating his message to Aunt Rina and his thanks for the slippers. In the meantime, Hedda walks about the room, raising her arms and clenching her hands as if in desperation. Then she flings back the curtains from the glass door, and stands there looking out. Presently, Tesman returns and closes the door behind him. Tesman Picks up the slippers from the floor. What are you looking at, Hedda? Hedda Once more calm and mistress of herself. I am only looking at the leaves. They are so yellow⁠—so withered. Tesman Wraps up the slippers and lays them on the table. Well, you see, we are well into September now. Hedda Again restless. Yes, to think of it!⁠—already in⁠—in September. Tesman Don’t you think Aunt Julia’s manner was strange, dear? Almost solemn? Can you imagine what was the matter with her? Eh? Hedda I scarcely know her, you see. Is she not often like that? Tesman No, not as she was today. Hedda Leaving the glass door. Do you think she was annoyed about the bonnet? Tesman Oh, scarcely at all. Perhaps a little, just at the moment⁠— Hedda But what an idea, to pitch her bonnet about in the drawing room! No one does that sort of thing. Tesman Well you may be sure Aunt Julia won’t do it again. Hedda In any case, I shall manage to make my peace with her. Tesman Yes, my dear, good Hedda, if you only would. Hedda When you call this afternoon, you might invite her to spend the evening here. Tesman Yes, that I will. And there’s one thing more you could do that would delight her heart. Hedda What is it? Tesman If you could only prevail on yourself to say du10 to her. For my sake, Hedda? Eh? Hedda No, no, Tesman⁠—you really mustn’t ask that of me. I have told you so already. I shall try to call her “Aunt”; and you must be satisfied with that. Tesman Well well. Only I think now that you belong to the family, you⁠— Hedda H’m⁠—I can’t in the least see why⁠— She goes up towards the middle doorway. Tesman After a pause. Is there anything the matter with you, Hedda? Eh? Hedda I’m only looking at my old piano. It doesn’t go at all well with all the other things. Tesman The first time I draw my salary, we’ll see about exchanging it. Hedda No, no⁠—no exchanging. I don’t want to part with it. Suppose we put it there in the inner room, and then get another here in its place. When it’s convenient, I mean. Tesman A little taken aback. Yes⁠—of course we could do that. Hedda Takes up the bouquet from the piano. These flowers were not here last night when we arrived. Tesman Aunt Julia must have brought them for you. Hedda Examining the bouquet. A visiting card. Takes it out and reads: “Shall return later in the day.” Can you guess whose card it is? Tesman No. Whose? Eh? Hedda The name is “Mrs. Elvsted.” Tesman Is it really? Sheriff Elvsted’s wife? Miss Rysing that was. Hedda Exactly. The girl with the irritating hair, that she was always showing off. An old flame of yours I’ve been told. Tesman Laughing. Oh, that didn’t last long; and it was before I met you, Hedda. But fancy her being in town! Hedda It’s odd that she should call upon us. I have scarcely seen her since we left school. Tesman I haven’t see her either for⁠—heaven knows how long. I wonder how she can endure to live in such an out-of-the way hole⁠—eh? Hedda After a moment’s thought, says suddenly. Tell me, Tesman⁠—isn’t it somewhere near there that he⁠—that⁠—Eilert Lövborg is living? Tesman Yes, he is somewhere in that part of the country. Berta enters by the hall door. Berta That lady, ma’am, that brought some flowers a little while ago, is here again. Pointing. The flowers you have in your hand, ma’am. Hedda Ah, is she? Well, please show her in. Berta opens the door for Mrs. Elvsted, and goes out herself. —Mrs. Elvsted is a woman of fragile figure, with pretty, soft features. Her eyes are light blue, large, round, and somewhat prominent, with a startled, inquiring expression. Her hair is remarkably light, almost flaxen, and unusually abundant and wavy. She is a couple of years younger than Hedda. She wears a dark visiting dress, tasteful, but not quite in the latest fashion. Hedda Receives her warmly. How do you do, my dear Mrs. Elvsted? It’s delightful to see you again. Mrs. Elvsted Nervously, struggling for self-control. Yes, it’s a very long time since we met. Tesman Gives her his hand. And we too⁠—eh? Hedda Thanks for your lovely flowers⁠— Mrs. Elvsted Oh, not at all⁠—. I would have come straight here yesterday afternoon; but I heard that you were away⁠— Tesman Have you just come to town? Eh? Mrs. Elvsted I arrived yesterday, about midday. Oh, I was quite in despair when I heard that you were not at home. Hedda In despair! How so? Tesman Why, my dear Mrs. Rysing⁠—I mean Mrs. Elvsted⁠— Hedda I hope that you are not in any trouble? Mrs. Elvsted Yes, I am. And I don’t know another living creature here that I can turn to. Hedda Laying the bouquet on the table. Come⁠—let us sit here on the sofa⁠— Mrs. Elvsted Oh, I am too