outline, as it were. It came out about a fortnight ago. And since it has
sold so well, and been so much read—and made such a sensation——
TESMAN.
Has it indeed? It must be something he has had lying by since his better
days.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Long ago, you mean?
TESMAN.
Yes.
MRS. ELVSTED.
No, he has written it all since he has been with us—within the last
year.
TESMAN.
Isn’t that good news, Hedda? Think of that!
MRS. ELVSTED.
Ah yes, if only it would last!
HEDDA.
Have you seen him here in town?
MRS. ELVSTED.
No, not yet. I have had the greatest difficulty in finding out his
address. But this morning I discovered it at last.
HEDDA.
[_Looks searchingly at her._] Do you know, it seems to me a little odd
of your husband—h’m——
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_Starting nervously._] Of my husband! What?
HEDDA.
That he should send you to town on such an errand—that he does not come
himself and look after his friend.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh no, no—my husband has no time. And besides, I—I had some shopping to
do.
HEDDA.
[_With a slight smile._] Ah, that is a different matter.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_Rising quickly and uneasily._] And now I beg and implore you, Mr.
Tesman—receive Eilert Lövborg kindly if he comes to you! And that he is
sure to do. You see you were such great friends in the old days. And
then you are interested in the same studies—the same branch of
science—so far as I can understand.
TESMAN.
We used to be, at any rate.
MRS. ELVSTED.
That is why I beg so earnestly that you—you too—will keep a sharp eye
upon him. Oh, you will promise me that, Mr. Tesman—won’t you?
TESMAN.
With the greatest of pleasure, Mrs. Rysing——
HEDDA.
Elvsted.
TESMAN.
I assure you I shall do all I possibly can for Eilert. You may rely upon
me.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh, how very, very kind of you! [_Presses his hands._] Thanks, thanks,
thanks! _[Frightened._] You see, my husband is so very fond of him!
HEDDA.
[_Rising._] You ought to write to him, Tesman. Perhaps he may not care
to come to you of his own accord.
TESMAN.
Well, perhaps it would be the right thing to do, Hedda? Eh?
HEDDA.
And the sooner the better. Why not at once?
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_Imploringly._] Oh, if you only would!
TESMAN.
I’ll write this moment. Have you his address, Mrs.—Mrs. Elvsted.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes. [_Takes a slip of paper from her pocket, and hands it to him._]
Here it is.
TESMAN.
Good, good. Then I’ll go in——[_Looks about him._] By-the-bye,—my
slippers? Oh, here.
[_Takes the packet, and is about to go._
HEDDA.
Be sure you write him a cordial, friendly letter. And a good long one
too.
TESMAN.
Yes, I will.
MRS. ELVSTED.
But please, please don’t say a word to show that I have suggested it.
TESMAN.
No, how could you think I would? Eh?
[_He goes out to the right, through the inner room._
HEDDA.
[_Goes up to MRS. ELVSTED, smiles, and says in a low voice._] There! We
have killed two birds with one stone.
MRS. ELVSTED.
What do you mean?
HEDDA.
Could you not see that I wanted him to go?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes, to write the letter——
HEDDA.
And that I might speak to you alone.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_Confused._] About the same thing?
HEDDA.
Precisely.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_Apprehensively._] But there is nothing more Mrs. Tesman! Absolutely
nothing!
HEDDA.
Oh yes, but there is. There is a great deal more—I can see that. Sit
here—and we’ll have a cosy, confidential chat.
[_She forces_ MRS. ELVSTED _to sit in the easy-chair beside
the stove, and seats herself on one of the footstools._
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_Anxiously, looking at her watch._] But, my dear Mrs. Tesman—I was
really on the point of going.
HEDDA.
Oh, you can’t be in such a hurry.—Well? Now tell me something about your
life at home.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh, that is just what I care least to speak about.
HEDDA.
But to me, dear——? Why, weren’t we schoolfellows?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes, but you were in the class above me. Oh, how dreadfully afraid of
you I was then!
HEDDA.
Afraid of me?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes, dreadfully. For when we met on the stairs you used always to pull
my hair.
HEDDA.
Did I, really?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes, and once you said you would burn it off my head.
HEDDA.
Oh that was all nonsense, of course.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes, but I was so silly in those days.—And since then, too—we have
drifted so far—far apart from each other. Our circles have been so
entirely different.
HEDDA.
Well then, we must try to drift together again. Now listen! At school we
said _du_[16] to each other; and we called each other by our Christian
names——
MRS. ELVSTED.
No, I am sure you must be mistaken.
HEDDA.
No, not at all! I can remember quite distinctly. So now we are going to
renew our old friendship. [_Draws the footstool closer to MRS.
ELVSTED._] There now! [_Kisses her cheek._] You must say _du_ to me and
call me Hedda.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_Presses and pats her hands._] Oh, how good and kind you are! I am not
used to such kindness.
HEDDA.
There, there, there! And I shall say _du_ to you, as in the old days,
and call you my dear Thora.
MRS. ELVSTED.
My name is Thea.[17]
HEDDA.
Why, of course! I meant Thea. [_Looks at her compassionately._] So you
are not accustomed to goodness and kindness, Thea? Not in your own home?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh, if I only had a home! But I haven’t any; I have never had a home.
HEDDA.
[_Looks at her for a moment._] I almost suspected as much.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_Gazing helplessly before her._] Yes—yes—yes.
HEDDA.
I don’t quite remember—was it not as housekeeper that you first went to
Mr. Elvsted’s?
MRS. ELVSTED.
I really went as governess. But his wife—his late wife—was an
invalid,—and rarely left her room. So I had to look after the
housekeeping as well.
HEDDA.
And then—at last—you became mistress of the house.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_Sadly._] Yes, I did.
HEDDA.
Let me see—about how long ago was that?
MRS. ELVSTED.
My marriage?
HEDDA.
Yes.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Five years ago.
HEDDA.
To be sure; it must be that.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh those five years——! Or at all events the last two or three of them!
Oh, if you[18] could only imagine——
HEDDA.
[_Giving her a little slap on the hand._] _De?_ Fie, Thea!
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes, yes, I will try——Well, if—you could only imagine and understand——
HEDDA.
[_Lightly._] Eilert Lövborg has been in your neighbourhood about three
years, hasn’t he?
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_Looks at her doubtfully._] Eilert Lövborg? Yes—he has.
HEDDA.
Had you known him before, in town here?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Scarcely at all. I mean—I knew him by name of course.
HEDDA.
But you saw a good deal of him in the country?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes, he came to us every day. You see, he gave the children lessons; for
in the long run I couldn’t manage it all myself.
HEDDA.
No, that’s clear.—And your husband——? I suppose he is often away from
home?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes. Being sheriff, you know, he has to travel about a good deal in his
district.
HEDDA.
[_Leaning against the arm of the chair._] Thea—my poor, sweet Thea—now
you must tell me everything—exactly as it stands.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Well then, you must question me.
HEDDA.
What sort of a man is your husband, Thea? I mean—you know—in everyday
life. Is he kind to you?
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_Evasively._] I am sure he means well in everything.
HEDDA.
I should think he must be altogether too old for you. There is at least
twenty years’ difference between you, is there not?
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_Irritably._] Yes, that is true, too. Everything about him is repellent
to me! We have not a thought in common. We have no single point of
sympathy—he and I.
HEDDA.
But is he not fond of you all the same? In his own way?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh I really don’t know. I think he regards me simply as a useful
property. And then it doesn’t cost much to keep me. I am not expensive.
HEDDA.
That is stupid of you.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_Shakes her head._] It cannot be otherwise—not with him. I don’t think
he really cares for any one but himself—and perhaps a little for the
children.
HEDDA.
And for Eilert Lövborg, Thea.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_Looking at her._] For Eilert Lövborg? What puts that into your head?
HEDDA.
Well, my dear—I should say, when he sends you after him all the way to
town——[_Smiling almost imperceptibly._] And besides, you said so
yourself, to Tesman.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_With a little nervous twitch._] Did I? Yes, I suppose I did.
[_Vehemently, but not loudly._] No—I may just as well make a clean
breast of it at once! For it must all come out in any case.
HEDDA.
Why, my dear Thea——?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Well, to make a long story short: My husband did not know that I was
coming.
HEDDA.
What! Your husband didn’t know it!
MRS. ELVSTED.
No, of course not. For that matter, he was away from home himself—he was
travelling. Oh, I could bear it no longer, Hedda! I couldn’t indeed—so
utterly alone as I should have been in future.
HEDDA.
Well? And then?
MRS. ELVSTED.
So I put together some of my things—what I needed most—as quietly as
possible. And then I left the house.
HEDDA.
Without a word?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes—and took the train straight to town.
HEDDA.
Why, my dear, good Thea—to think of you daring to do it!
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_Rises and moves about the room._] What else could I possibly do?
HEDDA.
But what do you think your husband will say when you go home again?
MRS. ELVSTED.
[_At the table, looks at her._] Back to _him_?
HEDDA.
Of course.
MRS. ELVSTED.
I shall never go back to him again.
HEDDA.
[_Rising and going towards her._] Then you have left your home—for good
and all?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes. There was nothing else to be done.
HEDDA.
But then—to take flight so openly
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh, it’s impossible to keep things of that sort secret.
HEDDA.
But what do you think people will say of you, Thea?
MRS. ELVSTED.
They may say what they like, for aught _I_ care. [_Seats herself wearily
and sadly on the sofa._] I have done nothing but what I _had_ to do.
HEDDA.
[_After a short silence._] And what are your plans now? What do you
think of doing?
MRS. ELVSTED.
I don’t know yet. I only know this, that I _must_ live here, where
Eilert Lövborg is—if I am to live at all.
HEDDA.
[_Takes a chair from the table, seats herself beside her, and strokes
her hands._] My dear Thea—how did this—this friendship—between you and
Eilert 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. Some one he knew in his—in his past. Some one 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 eyes are lively and sparkling.
His eyebrows thick. His moustaches are also thick, with
short-cut ends. He wears a well-cut walking-suit, a little
too youthful for his age. He uses an eye-glass, 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.
Do 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
re-arrangement 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 says 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 you 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 time.
TESMAN.
Have you heard anything definite? Eh?
BRACK.
Nothing exactly definite——. [_Interrupting himself._] But by-the-bye—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 has.
TESMAN.
And I hear it has made some sensation!
BRACK.
Quite an unusual sensation.
TESMAN.
Fancy—isn’t that good news! A man of such extraordinary talents——. I
felt so grieved to think that he had gone irretrievably to ruin.
BRACK.
That was what everybody thought.
TESMAN.
But I cannot imagine what he will take to now! How in the world will he
be able to make his living? Eh?
[_During the last words,_ HEDDA _has entered by the hall
door._
HEDDA.
[_To BRACK, laughing with a touch of scorn._] Tesman is for ever
worrying about how people are to make their living.
TESMAN.
Well you see, dear—we were talking about poor Eilert Lövborg.
HEDDA.
[_Glancing at him rapidly._] Oh, indeed? [_Seats herself in the
arm-chair beside the stove and asks indifferently_:] What is the matter
with _him_?
TESMAN.
Well—no doubt he has run through all his property long ago; and he can
scarcely write a new book every year—eh? So I really can’t see what is
to become of him.
BRACK.
Perhaps I can give you some information on that point.
TESMAN.
Indeed!
BRACK.
You must remember that his relations have a good deal of influence.
TESMAN.
Oh, his relations, unfortunately, have entirely washed their hands of
him.
BRACK.
At one time they called him the hope of the family.
TESMAN.
At one time, yes! But he has put an end to all that.
HEDDA.
Who knows? [_With a slight smile._] I hear they have reclaimed him up at
Sheriff Elvsted’s——
BRACK.
And then this book that he has published——
TESMAN.
Well well, I hope to goodness they may find something for him to do. I
have just written to him. I asked him to come and see us this evening,
Hedda dear.
BRACK.
But my dear fellow, you are booked for my bachelors’ party this evening.
You promised on the pier last night.
HEDDA.
Had you forgotten, Tesman?
TESMAN.
Yes, I had utterly forgotten.
BRACK.
But it doesn’t matter, for you may be sure he won’t come.
TESMAN.
What makes you think that? Eh?
BRACK.
[_With a little hesitation, rising and resting his hands on the back of
his chair._] My dear Tesman—and you too, Mrs. Tesman—I think I ought not
to keep you in the dark about something that—that——
TESMAN.
That concerns Eilert——?
BRACK.
Both you and him.
TESMAN.
Well, my dear Judge, out with it.
BRACK.
You must be prepared to find your appointment deferred longer than you
desired or expected.
TESMAN.
[_Jumping up uneasily._] Is there some hitch about it? Eh?
BRACK.
The nomination may perhaps be made conditional on the result of a
competition——
TESMAN.
Competition! Think of that, Hedda!
HEDDA.
[_Leans further back in the chair._] Aha—aha!
TESMAN.
But who can my competitor be? Surely not——?
BRACK.
Yes, precisely—Eilert Lövborg.
TESMAN.
[_Clasping his hands._] No, no—it’s quite inconceivable! Quite
impossible! Eh?
BRACK.
H’m—that is what it may come to, all the same.
TESMAN.
Well but, Judge Brack—it would show the most incredible lack of
consideration for me. [_Gesticulates with his arms._] For—just think—I’m
a married man! We have married on the strength of these prospects, Hedda
and I; and run deep into debt; and borrowed money from Aunt Julia too.
Good heavens, they had as good as promised me the appointment. Eh?
BRACK.
Well, well, well—no doubt you will get it in the end; only after a
contest.
HEDDA.
[_Immovable in her arm-chair._] Fancy, Tesman, there will be a sort of
sporting interest in that.
TESMAN.
Why, my dearest Hedda, how can you be so indifferent about it?
HEDDA.
[_As before._] I am not at all indifferent. I am most eager to see who
wins.
BRACK.
In any case, Mrs. Tesman, it is best that you should know how matters
stand. I mean—before you set about the little purchases I hear you are
threatening.
HEDDA.
This can make no difference.
BRACK.
Indeed! Then I have no more to say. Good-bye! [_To TESMAN._] I shall
look in on my way back from my afternoon walk, and take you home with
me.
TESMAN.
Oh yes; yes—your news has quite upset me.
HEDDA.
[_Reclining, holds out her hand._] Good-bye, Judge; and be sure you call
in the afternoon.
BRACK.
Many thanks. Good-bye, good-bye!
TESMAN.
[_Accompanying him to the door._] Good-bye my dear Judge! You must
really excuse me——
[_JUDGE BRACK goes out by the hall door._
TESMAN.
[_Crosses the room._] Oh Hedda—one should never rush into adventures.
Eh?
HEDDA.
[_Looks at him, smiling._] Do _you_ do _that_?
TESMAN.
Yes, dear—there is no denying—it was adventurous to go and marry and set
up house upon mere expectations.
HEDDA.
Perhaps you are right there.
TESMAN.
Well—at all events, we have our delightful home, Hedda! Fancy, the home
we both dreamed of—the home we were in love with, I may almost say. Eh?
HEDDA.
[_Rising slowly and wearily._] It was part of our compact that we were
to go into society—to keep open house.
TESMAN.
Yes, if you only knew how I had been looking forward to it! Fancy—to see
you as hostess—in a select circle! Eh? Well, well, well—for the present
we shall have to get on without society, Hedda—only to invite Aunt Julia
now and then.—Oh, I intended you to lead such an utterly different life,
dear——!
HEDDA.
Of course I cannot have my man in livery just yet.
TESMAN.
Oh no, unfortunately. It would be out of the question for us to keep a
footman, you know.
HEDDA.
And the saddle-horse I was to have had——
TESMAN.
[_Aghast._] The saddle-horse!
HEDDA.
——I suppose I must not think of that now.
TESMAN.
Good heavens, no!—that’s as clear as daylight.
HEDDA.
[_Goes up the room._] Well, I shall have one thing at least to kill time
with in the meanwhile.
TESMAN.
[_Beaming._] Oh thank heaven for that! What is it, Hedda? Eh?
HEDDA.
[_In the middle doorway, looks at him with covert scorn._] My pistols,
George.
TESMAN.
[_In alarm._] Your pistols!
HEDDA.
[_With cold eyes._] General Gabler’s pistols.
[_She goes out through the inner room, to the left._
TESMAN.
[_Rushes up to the middle doorway and calls after her_:] No, for
heaven’s sake, Hedda darling—don’t touch those dangerous things! For my
sake, Hedda! Eh?
-----
Footnote 11:
Tesman, whose Christian name in the original is “Jörgen,” is described
as “stipendiat i kulturhistorie”—that is to say, the holder of a
scholarship for purposes of research into the History of Civilisation.
Footnote 12:
In the original “Assessor.”
ACT SECOND
_The room at the_ TESMANS’ _as in the first Act, except that the piano
has been removed, and an elegant little writing-table with
book-shelves put in its place. A smaller table stands near the
sofa on the left. Most of the bouquets have been taken away._ MRS.
ELVSTED’S _bouquet is upon the large table in front.—It is
afternoon._
HEDDA, _dressed to receive callers, is alone in the room. She stands by
the open glass door, loading a revolver. The fellow to it lies in
an open pistol-case on the writing-table._
HEDDA.
[_Looks down the garden, and calls_:] So you are here again, Judge!
BRACK.
[_Is heard calling from a distance._] As you see, Mrs. Tesman!
HEDDA.
[_Raises the pistol and points._] Now I’ll shoot you, Judge Brack!
BRACK.
[_Calling unseen._] No, no, no! Don’t stand aiming at me!
HEDDA.
This is what comes of sneaking in by the back way.[19] [_She fires._
BRACK.
[_Nearer._] Are you out of your senses——!
HEDDA.
Dear me—did I happen to hit you?
BRACK.
[_Still outside._] I wish you would let these pranks alone!
HEDDA.
Come in then, Judge.
JUDGE BRACK, _dressed as though for a men’s party, enters by the glass
door. He carries a light overcoat over his arm._
BRACK.
What the deuce—haven’t you tired of that sport, yet? What are you
shooting at?
HEDDA.
Oh, I am only firing in the air.
BRACK.
[_Gently takes the pistol out of her hand._] Allow me, madam! [_Looks at
it._] Ah—I know this pistol well! [_Looks around._] Where is the case?
Ah, here it is. [_Lays the pistol in it, and shuts it._] Now we won’t
play at that game any more to-day.
HEDDA.
Then what in heaven’s name would you have me do with myself?
BRACK.
Have you had no visitors?
HEDDA.
[_Closing the glass door._] Not one. I suppose all our set are still out
of town.
BRACK.
And is Tesman not at home either?
HEDDA.