The Greatest Works of Henrik Ibsen. Henrik Ibsen

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СКАЧАТЬ Tesman. And, most of all, now that you have got the wife of your heart, my dear George.

      Tesman. [Embracing her.] Oh yes, yes, Aunt Julia! Hedda — she is the best part of it all! I believe I hear her coming — eh?

      Hedda enters from the left through the inner room. Her face and figure show refinement and distinction. Her complexion is pale and opaque. Her steel-grey eyes express a cold, unruffled repose. Her hair is of an agreeable brown, but not particularly abundant. She is dressed in a tasteful, somewhat loose-fitting morning gown.

      Miss Tesman. [Going to meet Hedda.] Good morning, my dear Hedda! Good morning, and a hearty welcome!

      Hedda. [Holds out her hand.] Good morning, dear Miss Tesman! So early a call! That is kind of you.

      Miss Tesman. [With some embarrassment.] Well — has the bride slept well in her new home?

      Hedda. Oh yes, thanks. Passably.

      Tesman. [Laughing.] Passably! Come, that’s good, Hedda! You were sleeping like a stone when I got up.

      Hedda. Fortunately. Of course one has always to accustom one’s self to new surroundings, Miss Tesman — little by little. [Looking towards the left.] Oh, there the servant has gone and opened the veranda door, and let in a whole flood of sunshine.

      Miss Tesman. [Going towards the door.] Well, then we will shut it.

      Hedda. No no, not that! Tesman, please draw the curtains. That will give a softer light.

      Tesman. [At the door.] All right — all right.— There now, Hedda, now you have both shade and fresh air.

      Hedda. Yes, fresh air we certainly must have, with all these stacks of flowers —. But — won’t you sit down, Miss Tesman?

      Miss Tesman. No, thank you. Now that I have seen that everything is all right here — thank heaven!— I must be getting home again. My sister is lying longing for me, poor thing.

      Tesman. Give her my very best love, Auntie; and say I shall look in and see her later in the day.

      Miss Tesman. Yes, yes, I’ll be sure to tell her. But by-the-bye, George —[Feeling in her dress pocket]— I had almost forgotten — I have something for you here.

      Tesman. What is it, Auntie? Eh?

      Miss Tesman. [Produces a flat parcel wrapped in newspaper and hands it to him.] Look here, my dear boy.

      Tesman. [Opening the parcel.] Well, I declare!— Have you really saved them for me, Aunt Julia! Hedda! isn’t this touching — eh?

      Hedda. [Beside the whatnot on the right.] Well, what is it?

      Tesman. My old morning-shoes! My slippers.

      Hedda. Indeed. I remember you often spoke of them while we were abroad.

      Tesman. Yes, I missed them terribly. [Goes up to her.] Now you shall see them, Hedda!

      Hedda. [Going towards the stove.] Thanks, I really don’t care about it.

      Tesman. [Following her.] Only think — ill as she was, Aunt Rina embroidered these for me. Oh you can’t think how many associations cling to them.

      Hedda. [At the table.] Scarcely for me.

      Miss Tesman. Of course not for Hedda, George.

      Tesman. Well, but now that she belongs to the family, I thought —

      Hedda. [Interrupting.] We shall never get on with this servant, Tesman.

      Miss Tesman. Not get on with Berta?

      Tesman. Why, dear, what puts that in your head? Eh?

      Hedda. [Pointing.] Look there! She has left her old bonnet lying about on a chair.

      Tesman. [In consternation, drops the slippers on the floor.] Why, Hedda —

      Hedda. Just fancy, if any one should come in and see it!

      Tesman. But Hedda — that’s Aunt Julia’s bonnet.

      Hedda. Is it!

      Miss Tesman. [Taking up the bonnet.] Yes, indeed it’s mine. And, what’s more, it’s not old, Madam Hedda.

      Hedda. I really did not look closely at it, Miss Tesman.

      Miss Tesman. [Trying on the bonnet.] Let me tell you it’s the first time I have worn it — the very first time.

      Tesman. And a very nice bonnet it is too — quite a beauty!

      Miss Tesman. Oh, it’s no such great things, George. [Looks around her.] My parasol —? Ah, here. [Takes it.] For this is mine too —[mutters] — not Berta’s.

      Tesman. A new bonnet and a new parasol! Only think, Hedda.

      Hedda. Very handsome indeed.

      Tesman. Yes, isn’t it? Eh? But Auntie, take a good look at Hedda before you go! See how handsome she is!

      Miss Tesman. Oh, my dear boy, there’s nothing new in that. Hedda was always lovely.

      She nods and goes toward the right.

      Tesman. [Following.] Yes, but have you noticed what splendid condition she is in? How she has filled out on the journey?

      Hedda. [Crossing the room.] Oh, do be quiet —!

      Miss Tesman. [Who has stopped and turned.] Filled out?

      Tesman. Of course you don’t notice it so much now that she has that dress on. But I, who can see —

      Hedda. [At the glass door, impatiently.] Oh, you can’t see anything.

      Tesman. It must be the 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. Good-bye — good-bye!

      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 СКАЧАТЬ