Hedda Gabler. Henrik Ibsen

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СКАЧАТЬ George.

      TESMAN.

      [In the doorway between the rooms.] Aunt Julia! Dear Aunt Julia! [Goes up to her and shakes hands warmly.] Come all this way—so early! Eh?

      MISS TESMAN.

      Why, of course I had to come and see how you were getting on.

      TESMAN.

      In spite of your having had no proper night's rest?

      MISS TESMAN.

      Oh, that makes no difference to me.

      TESMAN.

      Well, I suppose you got home all right from the pier? Eh?

      MISS TESMAN.

      Yes, quite safely, thank goodness. Judge Brack was good enough to see me right to my door.

      TESMAN.

      We were so sorry we couldn't give you a seat in the carriage. But you saw what a pile of boxes Hedda had to bring with her.

      MISS TESMAN.

      Yes, she had certainly plenty of boxes.

      BERTA.

      [To TESMAN.] Shall I go in and see if there's anything I can do for the mistress?

      TESMAN.

      No thank you, Berta—you needn't. She said she would ring if she wanted anything.

      BERTA.

      [Going towards the right.] Very well.

      TESMAN.

      But look here—take this portmanteau with you.

      BERTA.

      [Taking it.] I'll put it in the attic.

      [She goes out by the hall door.

      TESMAN.

      Fancy, Auntie—I had the whole of that portmanteau chock full of copies of the documents. You wouldn't believe how much I have picked up from all the archives I have been examining—curious old details that no one has had any idea of—

      MISS TESMAN.

      Yes, you don't seem to have wasted your time on your wedding trip, George.

      TESMAN.

      No, that I haven't. But do take off your bonnet, Auntie. Look here! Let me untie the strings—eh?

      MISS TESMAN.

      [While he does so.] Well well—this is just as if you were still at home with us.

      TESMAN.

      [With the bonnet in his hand, looks at it from all sides.] Why, what a gorgeous bonnet you've been investing in!

      MISS TESMAN.

      I bought it on Hedda's account.

      TESMAN.

      On Hedda's account? Eh?

      MISS TESMAN.

      Yes, so that Hedda needn't be ashamed of me if we happened to go out together.

      TESMAN.

      [Patting her cheek.] You always think of everything, Aunt Julia. [Lays the bonnet on a chair beside the table.] And now, look here—suppose we sit comfortably on the sofa and have a little chat, till Hedda comes.

      [They seat themselves. She places her parasol in the corner

       of the sofa.

      MISS TESMAN.

      [Takes both his hands and looks at him.] What a delight it is to have you again, as large as life, before my very eyes, George! My George—my poor brother's own boy!

      TESMAN.

      And it's a delight for me, too, to see you again, Aunt Julia! You, who have been father and mother in one to me.

      MISS TESMAN.

      Oh yes, I know you will always keep a place in your heart for your old aunts.

      TESMAN.

      And what about Aunt Rina? No improvement—eh?

      MISS TESMAN.

      Oh, no—we can scarcely look for any improvement in her case, poor thing. There she lies, helpless, as she has lain for all these years. But heaven grant I may not lose her yet awhile! For if I did, I don't know what I should make of my life, George—especially now that I haven't you to look after any more.

      TESMAN.

      [Patting her back.] There there there—!

      MISS TESMAN.

      [Suddenly changing her tone.] And to think that here are you a married man, George!—And that you should be the one to carry off Hedda Gabler—the beautiful Hedda Gabler! Only think of it—she, that was so beset with admirers!

      TESMAN.

      [Hums a little and smiles complacently.] Yes, I fancy I have several good friends about town who would like to stand in my shoes—eh?

      MISS TESMAN.

      And then this fine long wedding-tour you have had! More than five—nearly six months—

      TESMAN.

      Well, for me it has been a sort of tour of research as well. I have had to do so much grubbing among old records—and to read no end of books too, Auntie.

      MISS TESMAN.

      Oh yes, I suppose so. [More confidentially, and lowering her voice a little.] But listen now, George—have you nothing—nothing special to tell me?

      TESMAN.

      As to our journey?

      MISS TESMAN.

      Yes.

      TESMAN.

      No, I don't know of anything except what I have told you in my letters. I had a doctor's degree conferred on me—but that I told you yesterday.

      MISS TESMAN.

      Yes, yes, you did. But what I mean is—haven't you any—any—expectations—?

      TESMAN.

      Expectations?

      MISS СКАЧАТЬ