Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/194

 Hedda.

[Follows Tesman coldly and searchingly with her eyes.] I almost believe your Aunt Rina's death affects you more than it does your Aunt Julia.

Tesman.

Oh, it's not that alone. It's Eilert I am so terribly uneasy about.

Hedda. [Quickly.] Is there anything new about him?

Tesman.

I looked in at his rooms this afternoon, intending to tell him the manuscript was in safe keeping.

Hedda. Well, did you not find him?

Tesman.

No. He wasn't at home. But afterwards I met Mrs. Elvsted, and she told me that he had been here early this morning.

Hedda. Yes, directly after you had gone.

Tesman.

And he said that he had torn his manuscript to pieces—eh?

Hedda.

Yes, so he declared.

Tesman.

Why, good heavens, he must have been completely out of his mind! And I suppose you thought it best not to give it back to him, Hedda?