Act
I
A spacious, handsome, and tastefully furnished drawing room, decorated in dark colours. In the back, a wide doorway with curtains drawn back, leading into a smaller room decorated in the same style as the drawing room. In the right-hand wall of the front room, a folding door leading out to the hall. In the opposite wall, on the left, a glass door, also with curtains drawn back. Through the panes can be seen part of a verandah outside, and trees covered with autumn foliage. An oval table, with a cover on it, and surrounded by chairs, stands well forward. In front, by the wall on the right, a wide stove of dark porcelain, a high-backed armchair, a cushioned footrest, and two footstools. A settee, with a small round table in front of it, fills the upper right-hand corner. In front, on the left, a little way from the wall, a sofa. Further back than the glass door, a piano. On either side of the doorway at the back a whatnot with terra-cotta and majolica ornaments.—Against the back wall of the inner room a sofa, with a table, and one or two chairs. Over the sofa hangs the portrait of a handsome elderly man in a General’s uniform. Over the table a hanging lamp, with an opal glass shade.—A number of bouquets are arranged about the drawing room, in vases and glasses. Others lie upon the tables. The floors in both rooms are covered with thick carpets.—Morning light. The sun shines in through the glass door.
Miss Juliana Tesman, with her bonnet on a carrying a parasol, comes in from the hall, followed by Berta, who carries a bouquet wrapped in paper. Miss Tesman is a comely and pleasant-looking lady of about sixty-five. She is nicely but simply dressed in a grey walking costume. Berta is a middle-aged woman of plain and rather countrified appearance.
Miss Tesman
Stops close to the door, listens, and says softly: Upon my word, I don’t believe they are stirring yet!
Berta
Also softly. I told you so, Miss. Remember how late the steamboat got in last night. And then, when they got home!—good Lord, what a lot the young mistress had to unpack before she could get to bed.
Miss Tesman
Well well—let them have their sleep out. But let us see that they get a good breath of the fresh morning air when they do appear.
She goes to the glass door and throws it open.
Berta
Beside the table, at a loss what to do with the bouquet in her hand. I declare there isn’t a bit of room left. I think I’ll put it down here, Miss. She places it on the piano.
Miss Tesman
So you’ve got a new mistress now, my dear Berta. Heaven knows it was a wrench to me to part with you.
Berta
On the point of weeping. And do you think it wasn’t hard for me, too, Miss? After all the blessed years I’ve been with you and Miss Rina.
Miss Tesman
We must make the best of it, Berta. There was nothing else to be done. George can’t do without you, you see—he absolutely can’t. He has had you to look after him ever since he was a little boy.
Berta
Ah but, Miss Julia, I can’t help thinking of Miss Rina lying helpless at home there, poor thing. And with only that new girl too! She’ll never learn to take proper care of an invalid.
Miss Tesman
Oh, I shall manage to train her. And of course, you know, I shall take most of it upon myself. You needn’t be uneasy about my poor sister, my dear Berta.
Berta
Well, but there’s another thing, Miss. I’m so mortally afraid I shan’t be able to suit the young mistress.
Miss Tesman
Oh well—just at first there may be one or two things—
Berta
Most like she’ll be terrible grand in her ways.
Miss Tesman
Well, you can’t wonder at that—General Gabler’s daughter! Think of the sort of life she was accustomed to in her father’s time. Don’t you remember how we used to see her riding down the road along with the General? In that long black habit—and with feathers in her hat?
Berta
Yes, indeed—I remember well enough!—But, good Lord, I should never have dreamt in those days that she and Master George would make a match of it.
Miss Tesman
Nor I.—But by the by, Berta—while I think of it: in future you mustn’t say Master George. You must say Dr. Tesman.
Berta
Yes, the young mistress spoke of that too—last night—the moment they set foot in the house. Is it true then, Miss?
Miss Tesman
Yes, indeed it is. Only think, Berta—some foreign university has made him a doctor—while he has been abroad, you understand. I hadn’t heard a word about it, until he told me himself upon the pier.
Berta
Well well, he’s clever enough for anything, he is. But I didn’t think he’d have gone in for doctoring people.
Miss Tesman
No no, it’s not that sort of doctor he is. Nods significantly. But let me tell you, we may have to call him something still grander before long.
Berta
You don’t say so! What can that be, Miss?
Miss Tesman
Smiling. H’m—wouldn’t you like to know! With emotion. Ah, dear dear—if my poor brother could only look up from his grave now, and see what his little boy has grown into! Looks around. But bless me, Berta—why have you done this? Taken the chintz covers off all the furniture.
Berta
The mistress told me to. She can’t abide covers on the chairs, she says.
Miss Tesman
Are they going to make this their everyday sitting room then?
Berta
Yes, that’s what I understood—from the mistress. Master George—the doctor—he said nothing.
George Tesman comes from the right into the inner room, humming to himself, and carrying an unstrapped empty portmanteau. He is a middle-sized, young-looking man of thirty-three, rather stout, with a round, open, cheerful face, fair hair and beard. He wears spectacles, and is somewhat carelessly dressed in comfortable indoor clothes.
Miss Tesman
Good morning, good morning, 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 Tesman
Why you know, George—I’m your old auntie!
Tesman
Why, of course I have expectations.
Miss Tesman
Ah!
Tesman
I have every expectation of being a professor one of these days.
Miss Tesman
Oh yes, a professor—
Tesman
Indeed, I may say I am certain of it. But my dear Auntie—you know all about that already!
Miss Tesman
Laughing to herself. Yes, of course I do. You are quite right there. Changing the subject. But we were talking about your journey. It must have cost a great deal of money, George?
Tesman
Well, you see—my handsome travelling scholarship went a good way.
Miss Tesman
But I can’t understand how you can have made it go far enough for two.
Tesman
No, that’s not easy to understand—eh?
Miss Tesman
And especially travelling with a lady—they tell me that makes it ever so much more expensive.
Tesman
Yes, of course—it makes it a little more expensive. But Hedda had to have this trip, Auntie! She really had to. Nothing else would have done.
Miss Tesman
No no, I suppose not. A wedding tour seems to be quite indispensable nowadays.—But tell me now—have you gone thoroughly over the house yet?
Tesman
Yes, you may be sure I have. I have been afoot ever since daylight.
Miss Tesman
And what do you think of it all?
Tesman
I’m delighted! Quite delighted! Only I can’t think what we are to do with the two empty rooms between this inner parlour and Hedda’s bedroom.
Miss Tesman
Laughing. Oh my dear George, I daresay you may find some use for them—in the course of time.
Tesman
Why of course you are quite right, Aunt Julia! You mean as my library increases—eh?
Miss Tesman
Yes, quite so, my dear boy. It was your library I was thinking of.
Tesman
I am specially pleased on Hedda’s account. Often and often, before we were engaged, she said that she would never care to live anywhere but in Secretary Falk’s villa.
Miss Tesman
Yes, it was lucky that this very house should come into the market, just after you had started.
Tesman
Yes, Aunt Julia, the luck was on our side, wasn’t it—eh?
Miss Tesman
But the expense, my dear George! You will find it very expensive, all this.
Tesman
Looks at her, a little cast down. Yes, I suppose I shall, Aunt!
Miss Tesman
Oh, frightfully!
Tesman
How much do you think? In round numbers?—Eh?
Miss Tesman
Oh, I can’t even guess until all the accounts come in.
Tesman
Well, fortunately, Judge Brack has secured the most favourable terms for me, so he said in a letter to Hedda.
Miss Tesman
Yes, don’t be uneasy, my dear boy.—Besides, I have given security for the furniture and all the carpets.
Tesman
Security? You? My dear Aunt Julia—what sort of security could you give?
Miss Tesman
I have given a mortgage on our annuity.
Tesman
Jumps up. What! On your—and Aunt Rina’s annuity!
Miss Tesman
Yes, I knew of no other plan, you see.
Tesman
Placing himself before her. Have you gone out of your senses, Auntie? Your annuity—it’s all that you and Aunt Rina have to live upon.
Miss Tesman
Well well—don’t get so excited about it. It’s only a matter of form you know—Judge Brack assured me of that. It was he that was kind enough to arrange the whole affair for me. A mere matter of form, he said.
Tesman
Yes, that may be all very well. But nevertheless—
Miss Tesman
You will have your own salary to depend upon now. And, good heavens, even if we did have to pay up a little—! To eke things out a bit at the start—! Why, it would be nothing but a pleasure to us.
Tesman
Oh Auntie—will you never be tired of making sacrifices for me!
Miss Tesman
Rises and lays her hand on his shoulders. Have I any other happiness in this world except to smooth your way for you, my dear boy. You, who have had neither father nor mother to depend on. And now we have reached the goal, George! Things have looked black enough for us, sometimes; but, thank heaven, now you have nothing to fear.
Tesman
Yes, it is really marvellous how everything has turned out for the best.
Miss Tesman
And the people who opposed you—who wanted to bar the way for you—now you have them at your feet. They have fallen, George. Your most dangerous rival—his fall was the worst.—And now he has to lie on the bed he has made for himself—poor misguided creature.
Tesman
Have you heard anything of Eilert? Since I went away, I mean.
Miss Tesman
Only that he is said to have published a new book.
Tesman
What! Eilert Lövborg! Recently—eh?
Miss Tesman
Yes, so they say. Heaven knows whether it can be worth anything! Ah, when your new book appears—that will be another story, George! What is it to be about?
Tesman
It will deal with the domestic industries of Brabant during the Middle Ages.
Miss Tesman
Fancy—to be able to write on such a subject as that!
Tesman
However, it may be some time before the book is ready. I have all these collections to arrange first, you see.
Miss Tesman
Yes, collecting and arranging—no one can beat you at that. There you are my poor brother’s own son.
Tesman
I am looking forward eagerly to setting to work at it; especially now that I have my own delightful home to work in.
Miss 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 by, 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 anyone 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
Goodbye—goodbye!
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 her arms and clenching her hands as if in desperation. Then she flings back the curtains from the glass door, and stands there looking out.
Presently, Tesman returns and closes the door behind him.
Tesman
Picks up the slippers from the floor. What are you looking at, Hedda?
Hedda
Once more calm and mistress of herself. I am only looking at the leaves. They are so yellow—so withered.
Tesman
Wraps up the slippers and lays them on the table. Well, you see, we are well into September now.
Hedda
Again restless. Yes, to think of it!—already in—in September.
Tesman
Don’t you think Aunt Julia’s manner was strange, dear? Almost solemn? Can you imagine what was the matter with her? Eh?
Hedda
I scarcely know her, you see. Is she not often like that?
Tesman
No, not as she was today.
Hedda
Leaving the glass door. Do you think she was annoyed about the bonnet?
Tesman
Oh, scarcely at all. Perhaps a little, just at the moment—
Hedda
But what an idea, to pitch her bonnet about in the drawing room! No one does that sort of thing.
Tesman
Well you may be sure Aunt Julia won’t do it again.
Hedda
In any case, I shall manage to make my peace with her.
Tesman
Yes, my dear, good Hedda, if you only would.
Hedda
When you call this afternoon, you might invite her to spend the evening here.
Tesman
Yes, that I will. And there’s one thing more you could do that would delight her heart.
Hedda
What is it?
Tesman
If you could only prevail on yourself to say du to her. For my sake, Hedda? Eh?
Hedda
No, no, Tesman—you really mustn’t ask that of me. I have told you so already. I shall try to call her “Aunt”; and you must be satisfied with that.
Tesman
Well well. Only I think now that you belong to the family, you—
Hedda
H’m—I can’t in the least see why—
She goes up towards the middle doorway.
Tesman
After a pause. Is there anything the matter with you, Hedda? Eh?
Hedda
I’m only looking at my old piano. It doesn’t go at all well with all the other things.
Tesman
The first time I draw my salary, we’ll see about exchanging it.
Hedda
No, no—no exchanging. I don’t want to part with it. Suppose we put it there in the inner room, and then get another here in its place. When it’s convenient, I mean.
Tesman
A little taken aback. Yes—of course we could do that.
Hedda
Takes up the bouquet from the piano. These flowers were not here last night when we arrived.
Tesman
Aunt Julia must have brought them for you.
Hedda
Examining the bouquet. A visiting card. Takes it out and reads: “Shall return later in the day.” Can you guess whose card it is?
Tesman
No. Whose? Eh?
Hedda
The name is “Mrs. Elvsted.”
Tesman
Is it really? Sheriff Elvsted’s wife? Miss Rysing that was.
Hedda
Exactly. The girl with the irritating hair, that she was always showing off. An old flame of yours I’ve been told.
Tesman
Laughing. Oh, that didn’t last long; and it was before I met you, Hedda. But fancy her being in town!
Hedda
It’s odd that she should call upon us. I have scarcely seen her since we left school.
Tesman
I haven’t see her either for—heaven knows how long. I wonder how she can endure to live in such an out-of-the way hole—eh?
Hedda
After a moment’s thought, says suddenly. Tell me, Tesman—isn’t it somewhere near there that he—that—Eilert Lövborg is living?
Tesman
Yes, he is somewhere in that part of the country.
Berta enters by the hall door.
Berta
That lady, ma’am, that brought some flowers a little while ago, is here again. Pointing. The flowers you have in your hand, ma’am.
Hedda
Ah, is she? Well, please show her in.
Berta opens the door for Mrs. Elvsted, and goes out herself. —Mrs. Elvsted is a woman of fragile figure, with pretty, soft features. Her eyes are light blue, large, round, and somewhat prominent, with a startled, inquiring expression. Her hair is remarkably light, almost flaxen, and unusually abundant and wavy. She is a couple of years younger than Hedda. She wears a dark visiting dress, tasteful, but not quite in the latest fashion.
Hedda
Receives her warmly. How do you do, my dear Mrs. Elvsted? It’s delightful to see you again.
Mrs. Elvsted
Nervously, struggling for self-control. Yes, it’s a very long time since we met.
Tesman
Gives her his hand. And we too—eh?
Hedda
Thanks for your lovely flowers—
Mrs. Elvsted
Oh, not at all—. I would have come straight here yesterday afternoon; but I heard that you were away—
Tesman
Have you just come to town? Eh?
Mrs. Elvsted
I arrived yesterday, about midday. Oh, I was quite in despair when I heard that you were not at home.
Hedda
In despair! How so?
Tesman
Why, my dear Mrs. Rysing—I mean Mrs. Elvsted—
Hedda
I hope that you are not in any trouble?
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes, I am. And I don’t know another living creature here that I can turn to.
Hedda
Laying the bouquet on the table. Come—let us sit here on the sofa—
Mrs. Elvsted
Oh, I am too restless to sit down.
Hedda
Oh no, you’re not. Come here.
She draws Mrs. Elvsted down upon the sofa and sits at her side.
Tesman
Well? What is it, Mrs. Elvsted—?
Hedda
Has anything particular happened to you at home?
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes—and no. Oh—I am so anxious you should not misunderstand me—
Hedda
Then your best plan is to tell us the whole story, Mrs. Elvsted.
Tesman
I suppose that’s what you have come for—eh?
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes, yes—of course it is. Well then, I must tell you—if you don’t already know—that Eilert Lövborg is in town, too.
Hedda
Lövborg—!
Tesman
What! Has Eilert Lövborg come back? Fancy that, Hedda!
Hedda
Well well—I hear it.
Mrs. Elvsted
He has been here a week already. Just fancy—a whole week! In this terrible town, alone! With so many temptations on all sides.
Hedda
But, my dear Mrs. Elvsted—how does he concern you so much?
Mrs. Elvsted
Looks at her with a startled air, and says rapidly. He was the children’s tutor.
Hedda
Your children’s?
Mrs. Elvsted
My husband’s. I have none.
Hedda
Your stepchildren’s, then?
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes.
Tesman
Somewhat hesitatingly. Then was he—I don’t know how to express it—was he—regular enough in his habits to be fit for the post? Eh?
Mrs. Elvsted
For the last two years his conduct has been irreproachable.
Tesman
Has it indeed? Fancy that, Hedda!
Hedda
I hear it.
Mrs. Elvsted
Perfectly irreproachable, I assure you! In every respect. But all the same—now that I know he is here—in this great town—and with a large sum of money in his hands—I can’t help being in mortal fear for him.
Tesman
Why did he not remain where he was? With you and your husband? Eh?
Mrs. Elvsted
After his book was published he was too restless and unsettled to remain with us.
Tesman
Yes, by the by, Aunt Julia told me he had published a new book.
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes, a big book, dealing with the march of civilisation—in broad outline, as it were. It came out about a fortnight ago. And since it has sold so well, and been so much read—and made such a sensation—
Tesman
Has it indeed? It must be something he has had lying by since his better days.
Mrs. Elvsted
Long ago, you mean?
Tesman
Yes.
Mrs. Elvsted
No, he has written it all since he has been with us—within the last year.
Tesman
Isn’t that good news, Hedda? Think of that.
Mrs. Elvsted
Ah yes, if only it would last!
Hedda
Have you seen him here in town?
Mrs. Elvsted
No, not yet. I have had the greatest difficulty in finding out his address. But this morning I discovered it at last.
Hedda
Looks searchingly at her. Do you know, it seems to me a little odd of your husband—h’m—
Mrs. Elvsted
Starting nervously. Of my husband! What?
Hedda
That he should send you to town on such an errand—that he does not come himself and look after his friend.
Mrs. Elvsted
Oh no, no—my husband has no time. And besides, I—I had some shopping to do.
Hedda
With a slight smile. Ah, that is a different matter.
Mrs. Elvsted
Rising quickly and uneasily. And now I beg and implore you, Mr. Tesman—receive Eilert Lövborg kindly if he comes to you! And that he is sure to do. You see you were such great friends in the old days. And then you are interested in the same studies—the same branch of science—so far as I can understand.
Tesman
We used to be at any rate.
Mrs. Elvsted
That is why I beg so earnestly that you—you too—will keep a sharp eye upon him. Oh, you will promise me that, Mr. Tesman—won’t you?
Tesman
With the greatest of pleasure, Mrs. Rysing—
Hedda
Elvsted.
Tesman
I assure you I shall do all I possibly can for Eilert. You may rely upon me.
Mrs. Elvsted
Oh, how very, very kind of you! Presses his hands. Thanks, thanks, thanks! Frightened. You see, my husband is so very fond of him!
Hedda
Rising. You ought to write to him, Tesman. Perhaps he may not care to come to you of his own accord.
Tesman
Well, perhaps it would be the right thing to do, Hedda? Eh?
Hedda
And the sooner the better. Why not at once?
Mrs. Elvsted
Imploringly. Oh, if you only would!
Tesman
I’ll write this moment. Have you his address, Mrs.—Mrs. Elvsted.
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes. Takes a slip of paper from her pocket, and hands it to him. Here it is.
Tesman
Good, good. Then I’ll go in—Looks about him. By the by—my slippers? Oh, here. Takes the packet and is about to go.
Hedda
Be sure you write him a cordial, friendly letter. And a good long one too.
Tesman
Yes, I will.
Mrs. Elvsted
But please, please don’t say a word to show that I have suggested it.
Tesman
No, how could you think I would? Eh?
He goes out to the right, through the inner room.
Hedda
Goes up to Mrs. Elvsted, smiles, and says in a low voice. There! We have killed two birds with one stone.
Mrs. Elvsted
What do you mean?
Hedda
Could you not see that I wanted him to go?
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes, to write the letter—
Hedda
And that I might speak to you alone.
Mrs. Elvsted
Confused. About the same thing?
Hedda
Precisely.
Mrs. Elvsted
Apprehensively. But there is nothing more, Mrs. Tesman! Absolutely nothing!
Hedda
Oh yes, but there is. There is a great deal more—I can see that. Sit here—and we’ll have a cosy, confidential chat.
She forces Mrs. Elvsted to sit in the easy chair beside the stove, and seats herself on one of the footstools.
Mrs. Elvsted
Anxiously, looking at her watch. But, my dear Mrs. Tesman—I was really on the point of going.
Hedda
Oh, you can’t be in such a hurry.—Well? Now tell me something about your life at home.
Mrs. Elvsted
Oh, that is just what I care least to speak about.
Hedda
But to me, dear—? Why, weren’t we schoolfellows?
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes, but you were in the class above me. Oh, how dreadfully afraid of you I was then!
Hedda
Afraid of me?
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes, dreadfully. For when we met on the stairs you used always to pull my hair.
Hedda
Did I, really?
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes, and once you said you would burn it off my head.
Hedda
Oh that was all nonsense, of course.
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes, but I was so silly in those days.—And since then, too—we have drifted so far—far apart from each other. Our circles have been so entirely different.
Hedda
Well then, we must try to drift together again. Now listen. At school we said du to each other; and we called each other by our Christian names—
Mrs. Elvsted
No, I am sure you must be mistaken.
Hedda
No, not at all! I can remember quite distinctly. So now we are going to renew our old friendship. Draws the footstool closer to Mrs. Elvsted. There now! Kisses her cheek. You must say du to me and call me Hedda.
Mrs. Elvsted
Presses and pats her hands. Oh, how good and kind you are! I am not used to such kindness.
Hedda
There, there, there! And I shall say du to you, as in the old days, and call you my dear Thora.
Mrs. Elvsted
My name is Thea.
Hedda
Why, of course! I meant Thea. Looks at her compassionately. So you are not accustomed to goodness and kindness, Thea? Not in your own home?
Mrs. Elvsted
Oh, if I only had a home! But I haven’t any; I have never had a home.
Hedda
Looks at her for a moment. I almost suspected as much.
Mrs. Elvsted
Gazing helplessly before her. Yes—yes—yes.
Hedda
I don’t quite remember—was it not as housekeeper that you first went to Mr. Elvsted’s?
Mrs. Elvsted
I really went as governess. But his wife—his late wife—was an invalid—and rarely left her room. So I had to look after the housekeeping as well.
Hedda
And then—at last—you became mistress of the house.
Mrs. Elvsted
Sadly. Yes, I did.
Hedda
Let me see—about how long ago was that?
Mrs. Elvsted
My marriage?
Hedda
Yes.
Mrs. Elvsted
Five years ago.
Hedda
To be sure; it must be that.
Mrs. Elvsted
Oh those five years—! Or at all events the last two or three of them! Oh, if you could only imagine—
Hedda
Giving her a little slap on the hand. De? Fie, Thea!
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes, yes, I will try—. Well, if—you could only imagine and understand—
Hedda
Lightly. Eilert Lövborg has been in your neighbourhood about three years, hasn’t he?
Mrs. Elvsted
Looks at here doubtfully. Eilert Lövborg? Yes—he has.
Hedda
Had you known him before, in town here?
Mrs. Elvsted
Scarcely at all. I mean—I knew him by name of course.
Hedda
But you saw a good deal of him in the country?
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes, he came to us every day. You see, he gave the children lessons; for in the long run I couldn’t manage it all myself.
Hedda
No, that’s clear.—And your husband—? I suppose he is often away from home?
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes. Being sheriff, you know, he has to travel about a good deal in his district.
Hedda
Leaning against the arm of the chair. Thea—my poor, sweet Thea—now you must tell me everything—exactly as it stands.
Mrs. Elvsted
Well, then you must question me.
Hedda
What sort of a man is your husband, Thea? I mean—you know—in everyday life. Is he kind to you?
Mrs. Elvsted
Evasively. I am sure he means well in everything.
Hedda
I should think he must be altogether too old for you. There is at least twenty years’ difference between you, is there not?
Mrs. Elvsted
Irritably. Yes, that is true, too. Everything about him is repellent to me! We have not a thought in common. We have no single point of sympathy—he and I.
Hedda
But is he not fond of you all the same? In his own way?
Mrs. Elvsted
Oh I really don’t know. I think he regards me simply as a useful property. And then it doesn’t cost much to keep me. I am not expensive.
Hedda
That is stupid of you.
Mrs. Elvsted
Shakes her head. It cannot be otherwise—not with him. I don’t think he really cares for anyone but himself—and perhaps a little for the children.
Hedda
And for Eilert Lövborg, Thea?
Mrs. Elvsted
Looking at her. For Eilert Lövborg? What puts that into your head?
Hedda
Well, my dear—I should say, when he sends you after him all the way to town—Smiling almost imperceptibly. And besides, you said so yourself, to Tesman.
Mrs. Elvsted
With a little nervous twitch. Did I? Yes, I suppose I did. Vehemently, but not loudly. No—I may just as well make a clean breast of it at once! For it must all come out in any case.
Hedda
Why, my dear Thea—?
Mrs. Elvsted
Well, to make a long story short: My husband did not know that I was coming.
Hedda
What! Your husband didn’t know it!
Mrs. Elvsted
No, of course not. For that matter, he was away from home himself—he was travelling. Oh, I could bear it no longer, Hedda! I couldn’t indeed—so utterly alone as I should have been in future.
Hedda
Well? And then?
Mrs. Elvsted
So I put together some of my things—what I needed most—as quietly as possible. And then I left the house.
Hedda
Without a word?
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes—and took the train to town.
Hedda
Why, my dear, good Thea—to think of you daring to do it!
Mrs. Elvsted
Rises and moves about the room. What else could I possibly do?
Hedda
But what do you think your husband will say when you go home again?
Mrs. Elvsted
At the table, looks at her. Back to him?
Hedda
Of course.
Mrs. Elvsted
I shall never go back to him again.
Hedda
Rising and going towards her. Then you have left your home—for good and all?
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes. There was nothing else to be done.
Hedda
But then—to take flight so openly.
Mrs. Elvsted
Oh, it’s impossible to keep things of that sort secret.
Hedda
But what do you think people will say of you, Thea?
Mrs. Elvsted
They may say what they like, for aught I care. Seats herself wearily and sadly on the sofa. I have done nothing but what I had to do.
Hedda
After a short silence. And what are your plans now? What do you think of doing.
Mrs. Elvsted
I don’t know yet. I only know this, that I must live here, where Eilert Lövborg is—if I am to live at all.
Hedda
Takes a chair from the table, seats herself beside her, and strokes her hands. My dear Thea—how did this—this friendship—between you and Eilert Lövborg come about?
Mrs. Elvsted
Oh it grew up gradually. I gained a sort of influence over him.
Hedda
Indeed?
Mrs. Elvsted
He gave up his old habits. Not because I asked him to, for I never dared do that. But of course he saw how repulsive they were to me; and so he dropped them.
Hedda
Concealing an involuntary smile of scorn. Then you have reclaimed him—as the saying goes—my little Thea.
Mrs. Elvsted
So he says himself, at any rate. And he, on his side, has made a real human being of me—taught me to think, and to understand so many things.
Hedda
Did he give you lessons too, then?
Mrs. Elvsted
No, not exactly lessons. But he talked to me—talked about such an infinity of things. And then came the lovely, happy time when I began to share in his work—when he allowed me to help him!
Hedda
Oh he did, did he?
Mrs. Elvsted
Yes! He never wrote anything without my assistance.
Hedda
You were two good comrades, in fact?
Mrs. Elvsted
Eagerly. Comrades! Yes, fancy, Hedda—that is the very word he used!—Oh, I ought to feel perfectly happy; and yet I cannot; for I don’t know how long it will last.
Hedda
Are you no surer of him than that?
Mrs. Elvsted
Gloomily. A woman’s shadow stands between Eilert Lövborg and me.
Hedda
Looks at her anxiously. Who can that be?
Mrs. Elvsted
I don’t know. Someone he knew in his—in his past. Someone he has never been able wholly to forget.
Hedda
What has he told you—about this?
Mrs. Elvsted
He has only once—quite vaguely—alluded to it.
Hedda
Well! And what did he say?
Mrs. Elvsted
He said that when they parted, she threatened to shoot him with a pistol.
Hedda
With cold composure. Oh nonsense! No one does that sort of thing here.
Mrs. Elvsted
No. And that is why I think it must have been that red-haired singing woman whom he once—
Hedda
Yes, very likely.
Mrs. Elvsted
For I remember they used to say of her that she carried loaded firearms.
Hedda
Oh—then of course it must have been she.
Mrs. Elvsted
Wringing her hands. And now just fancy, Hedda—I hear that this singing woman—that she is in town again! Oh, I don’t know what to do—
Hedda
Glancing towards the inner room. Hush! Here comes Tesman. Rises and whispers. Thea—all this must remain between you and me.
Mrs. Elvsted
Springing up. Oh yes—yes! For heaven’s sake—!
George Tesman, with a letter in his hand, comes from the right through the inner room.
Tesman
There now—the epistle is finished.
Hedda
That’s right. And now Mrs. Elvsted is just going. Wait a moment—I’ll go with you to the garden gate.
Tesman
Do you think Berta could post the letter, Hedda dear?
Hedda
Takes it. I will tell her to.
Berta enters from the hall.
Berta
Judge Brack wishes to know if Mrs. Tesman will receive him.
Hedda
Yes, ask Judge Brack to come in. And look here—put this letter in the post.
Berta
Taking the letter. Yes, ma’am.
She opens the door for Judge Brack and goes out herself. Brack is a man of forty-five; thick set, but well-built and elastic in his movements. His face is roundish with an aristocratic profile. His hair is short, still almost black, and carefully dressed. His eyebrows thick. His moustaches are also thick, with shortcut ends. He wears a well-cut walking suit, a little too youthful for his age. He uses an eyeglass, which he now and then lets drop.
Judge Brack
With his hat in his hand, bowing. May one venture to call so early in the day?
Hedda
Of course one may.
Tesman
Presses his hand. You are welcome at any time. Introducing him. Judge Brack—Miss Rysing—
Hedda
Oh—!
Brack
Bowing. Ah—delighted—
Hedda
Looks at him and laughs. It’s nice to have a look at you by daylight, Judge!
Brack
So you find me—altered?
Hedda
A little younger, I think.
Brack
Thank you so much.
Tesman
But what do you think of Hedda—eh? Doesn’t she look flourishing? She has actually—
Hedda
Oh, do leave me alone. You haven’t thanked Judge Brack for all the trouble he has taken—
Brack
Oh, nonsense—it was a pleasure to me—
Hedda
Yes, you are a friend indeed. But here stands Thea all impatience to be off—so au revoir Judge. I shall be back again presently.
Mutual salutations. Mrs. Elvsted and Hedda go out by the hall door.
Brack
Well—is your wife tolerably satisfied—
Tesman
Yes, we can’t thank you sufficiently. Of course she talks of a little rearrangement here and there; and one or two things are still wanting. We shall have to buy some additional trifles.
Brack
Indeed!
Tesman
But we won’t trouble you about these things. Hedda say she herself will look after what is wanting.—Shan’t we sit down? Eh?
Brack
Thanks, for a moment. Seats himself beside the table. There is something I wanted to speak to about, my dear Tesman.
Tesman
Indeed? Ah, I understand! Seating himself. I suppose it’s the serious part of the frolic that is coming now. Eh?
Brack
Oh, the money question is not so very pressing; though, for that matter, I wish we had gone a little more economically to work.
Tesman
But that would never have done, you know! Think of Hedda, my dear fellow! You, who know her so well—! I couldn’t possibly ask her to put up with a shabby style of living!
Brack
No, no—that is just the difficulty.
Tesman
And then—fortunately—it can’t be long before I receive my appointment.
Brack
Well, you see—such things are often apt to hang fire for a long time.
Tesman
Have you heard anything definite? Eh?
Brack
Nothing exactly definite—. Interrupting himself. But by the by—I have one piece of news for you.
Tesman
Well?
Brack
Your old friend, Eilert Lövborg, has returned to town.
Tesman
I know that already.
Brack
Indeed! How did you learn it?
Tesman
From that lady who went out with Hedda.
Brack
Really? What was her name? I didn’t quite catch it.
Tesman
Mrs. Elvsted.
Brack
Aha—Sheriff Elvsted’s wife? Of course—he has been living up in their regions.
Tesman
And fancy—I’m delighted to hear that he is quite a reformed character.
Brack
So they say.
Tesman
And then he has published a new book—eh?
Brack
Yes, indeed he has.
Tesman
And I hear it has made some sensation!
Brack
Quite an unusual sensation.
Tesman
Fancy—isn’t that good news! A man of such extraordinary talents—. I felt so grieved to think that he had gone irretrievably to ruin.
Brack
That was what everybody thought.
Tesman
But I cannot imagine what he will take to now! How in the world will he be able to make his living? Eh?
During the last words, Hedda has entered by the hall door.
Hedda
To Brack, laughing with a touch of scorn. Tesman is forever worrying about how people are to make their living.
Tesman
Well you see, dear—we were talking about poor Eilert Lövborg.
Hedda
Glancing at him rapidly. Oh, indeed? Sets herself in the armchair 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 Lövborg.
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 armchair. 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. Goodbye! 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. Goodbye, Judge; and be sure you call in the afternoon.
Brack
Many thanks. Goodbye, goodbye!
Tesman
Accompanying him to the door. Goodbye 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?