The Greatest Works of Henrik Ibsen. Henrik Ibsen
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[To Brack, laughing with a touch of scorn.] Tesman is for ever worrying about how people are to make their living.
Tesman. Well you see, dear — we were talking about poor Eilert Lovborg.
Hedda. [Glancing at him rapidly.] Oh, indeed? [Sets herself in the arm-chair beside the stove and asks indifferently:] What is the matter with him?
Tesman. Well — no doubt he has run through all his property long ago; and he can scarcely write a new book every year — eh? So I really can’t see what is to become of him.
Brack. Perhaps I can give you some information on that point.
Tesman. Indeed!
Brack. You must remember that his relations have a good deal of influence.
Tesman. Oh, his relations, unfortunately, have entirely washed their hands of him.
Brack. At one time they called him the hope of the family.
Tesman. At one time, yes! But he has put an end to all that.
Hedda. Who knows? [With a slight smile.] I hear they have reclaimed him up at Sheriff Elvsted’s —
Brack. And then this book that he has published —
Tesman. Well well, I hope to goodness they may find something for him to do. I have just written to him. I asked him to come and see us this evening, Hedda dear.
Brack. But my dear fellow, you are booked for my bachelor’s party this evening. You promised on the pier last night.
Hedda. Had you forgotten, Tesman?
Tesman. Yes, I had utterly forgotten.
Brack. But it doesn’t matter, for you may be sure he won’t come.
Tesman. What makes you think that? Eh?
Brack. [With a little hesitation, rising and resting his hands on the back of his chair.] My dear Tesman — and you too, Mrs. Tesman — I think I ought not to keep you in the dark about something that — that —
Tesman. That concerns Eilert —?
Brack. Both you and him.
Tesman. Well, my dear Judge, out with it.
Brack. You must be prepared to find your appointment deferred longer than you desired or expected.
Tesman. [Jumping up uneasily.] Is there some hitch about it? Eh?
Brack. The nomination may perhaps be made conditional on the result of a competition —
Tesman. Competition! Think of that, Hedda!
Hedda. [Leans further back in the chair.] Aha — aha!
Tesman. But who can my competitor be? Surely not —?
Brack. Yes, precisely — Eilert Lovborg.
Tesman. [Clasping his hands.] No, no — it’s quite impossible! Eh?
Brack. H’m — that is what it may come to, all the same.
Tesman. Well but, Judge Brack — it would show the most incredible lack of consideration for me. [Gesticulates with his arms.] For — just think — I’m a married man! We have married on the strength of these prospects, Hedda and I; and run deep into debt; and borrowed money from Aunt Julia too. Good heavens, they had as good as promised me the appointment. Eh?
Brack. Well, well, well — no doubt you will get it in the end; only after a contest.
Hedda. [Immovable in her arm-chair.] Fancy, Tesman, there will be a sort of sporting interest in that.
Tesman. Why, my dearest Hedda, how can you be so indifferent about it?
Hedda. [As before.] I am not at all indifferent. I am most eager to see who wins.
Brack. In any case, Mrs. Tesman, it is best that you should know how matters stand. I mean — before you set about the little purchases I hear you are threatening.
Hedda. This can make no difference.
Brack. Indeed! Then I have no more to say. Good-bye! [To Tesman.] I shall look in on my way back from my afternoon walk, and take you home with me.
Tesman. Oh yes, yes — your news has quite upset me.
Hedda. [Reclining, holds out her hand.] Good-bye, Judge; and be sure you call in the afternoon.
Brack. Many thanks. Good-bye, good-bye!
Tesman. [Accompanying him to the door.] Good-bye my dear Judge! You must really excuse me —— [Judge Brack goes out by the hall door.
Tesman. [Crosses the room.] Oh Hedda — one should never rush into adventures. Eh?
Hedda. [Looks at him, smiling.] Do you do that?
Tesman. Yes, dear — there is no denying — it was adventurous to go and marry and set up house upon mere expectations.
Hedda. Perhaps you are right there.
Tesman. Well — at all events, we have our delightful home, Hedda! Fancy, the home we both dreamed of — the home we were in love with, I may almost say. Eh?
Hedda. [Rising slowly and wearily.] It was part of our compact that we were to go into society — to keep open house.
Tesman. Yes, if you only knew how I had been looking forward to it! Fancy — to see you as hostess — in a select circle! Eh? Well, well, well — for the present we shall have to get on without society, Hedda — only to invite Aunt Julia now and then.— Oh, I intended you to lead such an utterly different life, dear —!
Hedda. Of course I cannot have my man in livery just yet.
Tesman. Oh, no, unfortunately. It would be out of the question for us to keep a footman, you know.
Hedda. And the saddle-horse I was to have had —
Tesman. [Aghast.] The saddle-horse!
Hedda. — I suppose I must not think of that now.
Tesman. Good heavens, no!— that’s as clear as daylight!
Hedda. [Goes up the room.] Well, I shall have one thing at least to kill time with in the meanwhile.
Tesman. [Beaming.] Oh thank heaven for that! What is it, Hedda. Eh?
Hedda. [In the middle doorway, looks at him with covert scorn.] My pistols, George.
Tesman. [In alarm.] Your pistols!
Hedda. [With cold eyes.] General Gabler’s pistols.
She goes out through the inner room, to the left.
Tesman. [Rushes up to the middle doorway and calls after her:] No, for heaven’s sake, Hedda darling — don’t touch those dangerous things! For my sake Hedda! Eh?
6Pronounce Reena.
7In the original “Statsradinde Falks villa”— showing that it had belonged to the widow of a cabinet minister.
8Du equals thou: Tesman means, “If you could persuade yourself to tutoyer her.”
9See previous note.
10Pronounce Tora and Taya.
11Mrs. Elvsted here uses the formal pronoun De, whereupon Hedda rebukes her. In her next speech Mrs. Elvsted says du.
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