Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/116

 Brack.

Why—what satisfaction could you find in that? If he is not fitted for that sort of thing, why should you want to drive him into it?

Hedda.

Because I am bored, I tell you! [After a pause.] So you think it quite out of the question that Tesman should ever get into the ministry?

Brack.

H'm—you see, my dear Mrs. Hedda—to get into the ministry, he would have to be a tolerably rich man.

Hedda.

[Rising impatiently.] Yes, there we have it! It is this genteel poverty I have managed to drop into! [Crosses the room.] That is what makes life so pitiable! So utterly ludicrous!—For that's what it is.

Brack.

Now I should say the fault lay elsewhere.

Hedda.

Where, then?

Brack.

You have never gone through any really stimulating experience.

Hedda.

Anything serious, you mean?

Brack.

Yes, you may call it so. But now you may perhaps have one in store.