Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/113

 Hedda.

There is this in it, that I made use of Tesman to see me home from evening parties last summer

Brack.

I, unfortunately, had to go quite a different way.

Hedda.

That's true. I know you were going a different way last summer.

Brack.

[Laughing.] Oh fie, Mrs. Hedda! Well, then—you and Tesman?

Hedda.

Well, we happened to pass here one evening; Tesman, poor fellow, was writhing in the agony of having to find conversation; so I took pity on the learned man

Brack.

[Smiles doubtfully.] You took pity? H'm

Hedda.

Yes, I really did. And so—to help him out of his torment—I happened to say, in pure thoughtlessness, that I should like to live in this villa.

Brack.

No more than that?

Hedda.

Not that evening.

Brack.

But afterwards?