Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen

Author:Henrik Ibsen [Ibsen, Henrik]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: Global Grey
Published: 2021-08-12T23:00:00+00:00

Act Third

The room at the Tesmans'. The curtains are drawn over the middle doorway, and also over the glass door. The lamp, half turned down, and with a shade over it, is burning on the table. In the stove, the door of which stands open, there has been a fire, which is now nearly burnt out.

Mrs. Elvsted, wrapped in a large shawl, and with her feet upon a foot-rest, sits close to the stove, sunk back in the arm-chair. Hedda, fully dressed, lies sleeping upon the sofa, with a sofa-blanket over her.

Mrs. Elvsted: [After a pause, suddenly sits up in her chair, and listens eagerly. Then she sinks back again wearily, moaning to herself.] Not yet!—Oh God—oh God—not yet!

Berta slips cautiously in by the hall door. She has a letter in her hand.

Mrs. Elvsted: [Turns and whispers eagerly.] Well—has any one come?

Berta: [Softly.] Yes, a girl has just brought this letter.

Mrs. Elvsted: [Quickly, holding out her hand.] A letter! Give it to me!

Berta: No, it's for Dr. Tesman, ma'am.

Mrs. Elvsted: Oh, indeed.

Berta: It was Miss Tesman's servant that brought it. I'll lay it here on the table.

Mrs. Elvsted: Yes, do.

Berta: [Laying down the letter.] I think I had better put out the lamp. It's smoking.

Mrs. Elvsted: Yes, put it out. It must soon be daylight now.

Berta: [Putting out the lamp.] It is daylight already, ma'am.

Mrs. Elvsted: Yes, broad day! And no one come back yet—!

Berta: Lord bless you, ma'am—I guessed how it would be.

Mrs. Elvsted: You guessed?

Berta: Yes, when I saw that a certain person had come back to town—and that he went off with them. For we've heard enough about that gentleman before now.

Mrs. Elvsted: Don't speak so loud. You will waken Mrs. Tesman.

Berta: [Looks towards the sofa and sighs.] No, no—let her sleep, poor thing. Shan't I put some wood on the fire?

Mrs. Elvsted: Thanks, not for me.

Berta: Oh, very well. [She goes softly out by the hall door.

Hedda: [Is wakened by the shutting of the door, and looks up.] What's that—?

Mrs. Elvsted: It was only the servant.

Hedda: [Looking about her.] Oh, we're here—! Yes, now I remember. [Sits erect upon the sofa, stretches herself, and rubs her eyes.] What o'clock is it, Thea?

Mrs. Elvsted: [Looks at her watch.] It's past seven.

Hedda: When did Tesman come home?

Mrs. Elvsted: He has not come.

Hedda: Not come home yet?

Mrs. Elvsted: [Rising.] No one has come.

Hedda: Think of our watching and waiting here till four in the morning—

Mrs. Elvsted: [Wringing her hands.] And how I watched and waited for him!

Hedda: [Yawns, and says with her hand before her mouth.] Well well—we might have spared ourselves the trouble.

Mrs. Elvsted: Did you get a little sleep?

Hedda: Oh yes; I believe I have slept pretty well. Have you not?

Mrs. Elvsted: Not for a moment. I couldn't, Hedda!—not to save my life.

Hedda: [Rises and goes towards her.] There there there! There's nothing to be so alarmed about. I understand quite well what has happened.

Mrs. Elvsted: Well, what do you think? Won't you tell me?

Hedda: Why, of course it has been a very late affair at Judge Brack's—

Mrs.

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