[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
HEDDA.
When she hears that I have burnt Eilert Lovborg's manuscript for your sake?
TESMAN.
No, by-the-bye that affair of the manuscript of course nobody must know
about that. But that you love me so much,(13) Hedda Aunt Julia must really
share my joy in that! I wonder, now, whether this sort of thing is usual in young
wives? Eh?
HEDDA.
I think you had better ask Aunt Julia that question too.
TESMAN.
I will indeed, some time or other. [Looks uneasy and downcast again.] And yet
the manuscript the manuscript! Good God! it is terrible to think what will
become of poor Eilert now.
MRS. ELVSTED, dressed as in the first Act, with hat and cloak,
enters by the hall door.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Greets them hurriedly, and says in evident agitation.] Oh, dear Hedda, forgive my
coming again.
HEDDA.
What is the matter with you, Thea?
TESMAN.
Something about Eilert Lovborg again eh?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes! I am dreadfully afraid some misfortune has happened to him.
HEDDA.
[Seized her arm.] Ah, do you think so?
TESMAN.
Why, good Lord what makes you think that, Mrs. Elvsted?
MRS. ELVSTED.
I heard them talking of him at my boarding-house just as I came in. Oh, the
most incredible rumours are afloat about him to-day.
TESMAN.
Yes, fancy, so I heard too! And I can bear witness that he went straight home to
bed last night. Fancy that!
HEDDA.
Well, what did they say at the boarding-house?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh, I couldn't make out anything clearly. Either they knew nothing definite, or
else -. They stopped talking when the saw me; and I did not dare to ask.
TESMAN.
[Moving about uneasily.] We must hope we must hope that you misunderstood
them, Mrs. Elvsted.
MRS. ELVSTED.
No, no; I am sure it was of him they were talking. And I heard something about
the hospital or -
TESMAN.
The hospital?
HEDDA.
No surely that cannot be!
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh, I was in such mortal terror! I went to his lodgings and asked for him there.
HEDDA.
You could make up your mind to that, Thea!
MRS. ELVSTED.
What else could I do? I really could bear the suspense no longer.
TESMAN.
But you didn't find him either eh?
MRS. ELVSTED.
No. And the people knew nothing about him. He hadn't been home since
yesterday afternoon, they said.
TESMAN.
Yesterday! Fancy, how could they say that?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh, I am sure something terrible must have happened to him.
TESMAN.
Hedda dear how would it be if I were to go and make inquiries -?
HEDDA.
No, no don't you mix yourself up in this affair.
JUDGE BRACK, with his hat in his hand, enters by the hall
door, which BERTA opens, and closes behind him. He looks
grave and bows in silence.
TESMAN.
Oh, is that you, my dear Judge? Eh?
BRACK.
Yes. It was imperative I should see you this evening.
TESMAN.
I can see you have heard the news about Aunt Rina?
BRACK.
Yes, that among other things.
TESMAN.
Isn't it sad eh?
BRACK.
Well, my dear Tesman, that depends on how you look at it.
TESMAN.
[Looks doubtfully at him.] Has anything else happened?
BRACK.
Yes.
HEDDA.
[In suspense.] Anything sad, Judge Brack?
BRACK.
That, too, depends on how you look at it, Mrs. Tesman.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Unable to restrain her anxiety.] Oh! it is something about Eilert Lovborg!
BRACK.
[With a glance at her.] What makes you think that, Madam? Perhaps you have
already heard something -?
MRS. ELVSTED.
[In confusion.] No, nothing at all, but -
TESMAN.
Oh, for heaven's sake, tell us!
BRACK.
[Shrugging his shoulders.] Well, I regret to say Eilert Lovborg has been taken to
the hospital. He is lying at the point of death.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Shrieks.] Oh God! oh God -!
TESMAN.
To the hospital! And at the point of death!
HEDDA.
[Involuntarily.] So soon then -
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Wailing.] And we parted in anger, Hedda!
HEDDA.
[Whispers.] Thea Thea be careful!
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Not heeding her.] I must go to him! I must see him alive!
BRACK.
It is useless, Madam. No one will be admitted.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh, at least tell me what has happened to him? What is it?
TESMAN.
You don't mean to say that he has himself - Eh?
HEDDA.
Yes, I am sure he has.
BRACK.
[Keeping his eyes fixed upon her.] Unfortunately you have guessed quite
correctly, Mrs. Tesman.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh, how horrible!
TESMAN.
Himself, then! Fancy that!
HEDDA.
Shot himself!
BRACK.
Rightly guessed again, Mrs. Tesman.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[With an effort at self-control.] When did it happen, Mr. Brack?
BRACK.
This afternoon between three and four.
TESMAN.
But, good Lord, where did he do it? Eh?
BRACK.
[With some hesitation.] Where? Well I suppose at his lodgings.
MRS. ELVSTED.
No, that cannot be; for I was there between six and seven.
BRACK.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]