Yes and no-Mrs. Hedda.

HEDDA.

I had positively danced myself tired, my dear Judge. My day was done- [With a slight shudder.] Oh no-I won't say that; nor think it either!

BRACK.

You have a.s.suredly no reason to.

HEDDA.

Oh, reasons- [Watching him closely.] And George Tesman-after all, you must admit that he is correctness itself.

BRACK.

His correctness and respectability are beyond all question.

HEDDA.

And I don't see anything absolutely ridiculous about him.-Do you?

BRACK.

Ridiculous? N-no-I shouldn't exactly say so- HEDDA.

Well-and his powers of research, at all events, are untiring.-I see no reason why he should not one day come to the front, after all.

BRACK.

[Looks at her hesitatingly.] I thought that you, like every one else, expected him to attain the highest distinction.

HEDDA.

[With an expression of fatigue.] Yes, so I did.-And then, since he was bent, at all hazards, on being allowed to provide for me-I really don't know why I should not have accepted his offer?

BRACK.

No-if you look at it in that light- HEDDA.

It was more than my other adorers were prepared to do for me, my dear Judge.

BRACK.

[Laughing.] Well, I can't answer for all the rest; but as for myself, you know quite well that I have always entertained a-a certain respect for the marriage tie-for marriage as an inst.i.tution, Mrs. Hedda.

HEDDA.

[Jestingly.] Oh, I a.s.sure you I have never cherished any hopes with respect to you.

BRACK.

All I require is a pleasant and intimate interior, where I can make myself useful in every way, and am free to come and go as-as a trusted friend- HEDDA.

Of the master of the house, do you mean?

BRACK.

[Bowing.] Frankly-of the mistress first of all; but of course of the master too, in the second place. Such a triangular friendship-if I may call it so-is really a great convenience for all the parties, let me tell you.

HEDDA.

Yes, I have many a time longed for some one to make a third on our travels. Oh-those railway-carriage tete-a-tetes-!

BRACK.

Fortunately your wedding journey is over now.

HEDDA.

[Shaking her head.] Not by a long-long way. I have only arrived at a station on the line.

BRACK.

Well, then the pa.s.sengers jump out and move about a little, Mrs. Hedda.

HEDDA.

I never jump out.

BRACK.

Really?

HEDDA.

No-because there is always some one standing by to- BRACK.

[Laughing.] To look at your ankles, do you mean?

HEDDA.

Precisely.

BRACK.

Well but, dear me- HEDDA.

[With a gesture of repulsion.] I won't have it. I would rather keep my seat where I happen to be-and continue the tete-a-tete.

BRACK.

But suppose a third person were to jump in and join the couple.

HEDDA.

Ah-that is quite another matter!

BRACK.

A trusted, sympathetic friend- HEDDA.

-with a fund of conversation on all sorts of lively topics- BRACK.

-and not the least bit of a specialist!

HEDDA.

[With an audible sigh.] Yes, that would be a relief indeed.

BRACK.

[Hears the front door open, and glances in that direction.] The triangle is completed.

HEDDA.

[Half aloud.] And on goes the train.

GEORGE TESMAN, in a grey walking-suit, with a soft felt hat, enters from the hall. He has a number of unbound books under his arm and in his pockets.

TESMAN.

[Goes up to the table beside the corner settee.] Ouf-what a load for a warm day-all these books. [Lays them on the table.] I'm positively perspiring, Hedda. Hallo-are you there already, my dear Judge? Eh? Berta didn't tell me.

BRACK.

[Rising.] I came in through the garden.

HEDDA.

What books have you got there?

TESMAN.

[Stands looking them through.] Some new books on my special subjects -quite indispensable to me.

HEDDA.

Your special subjects?

BRACK.

Yes, books on his special subjects, Mrs. Tesman.

[BRACK and HEDDA exchange a confidential smile.

HEDDA.

Do you need still more books on your special subjects?

TESMAN.

Yes, my dear Hedda, one can never have too many of them. Of course one must keep up with all that is written and published.

HEDDA.

Yes, I suppose one must.

TESMAN.

[Searching among his books.] And look here-I have got hold of Eilert Lovborg's new book too. [Offering it to her.] Perhaps you would like to glance through it, Hedda? Eh?

HEDDA.

No, thank you. Or rather-afterwards perhaps.

TESMAN.

I looked into it a little on the way home.

BRACK.

Well, what do you think of it-as a specialist?

TESMAN.

I think it shows quite remarkable soundness of judgment. He never wrote like that before. [Putting the books together.] Now I shall take all these into my study. I'm longing to cut the leaves-! And then I must change my clothes. [To BRACK.] I suppose we needn't start just yet? Eh?

BRACK.

Oh, dear no-there is not the slightest hurry.

TESMAN.

Well then, I will take my time. [Is going with his books, but stops in the doorway and turns.] By-the-bye, Hedda-Aunt Julia is not coming this evening.

HEDDA.

Not coming? Is it that affair of the bonnet that keeps her away?