Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/214

 Hedda.

If you like. [Quickly.] No, wait! Let me clear it first!

Tesman.

Oh, you needn't trouble, Hedda. There is plenty of room.

Hedda.

No no, let me clear it, I say! I will take these things in and put them on the piano. There!

[She has drawn out an object, covered with sheet music, from under the bookcase, places several other pieces of music upon it, and carries the whole into the inner room, to the left. Tesman lays the scraps of paper on the writing-table, and moves the lamp therefrom the corner table. He and Mrs. Elvsted sit down and proceed with their work. Hedda returns.

Hedda.

[Behind Mrs. Elvsted's chair, gently ruffling her hair.] Well, my sweet Thea,—how goes it with Eilert Lövborg's monument?

Mrs. Elvsted.

[Looks dispiritedly up at her.] Oh, it will be terribly hard to put in order.

Tesman.

We must manage it. I am determined. And arranging other people's papers is just the work for me.

[Hedda goes over to the stove, and seats herself on one of the footstools. Brack stands over her, leaning on the arm-chair.