Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/220

 Hedda.

Thanks. But I am tired this evening. I will go in and lie down a little on the sofa.

Tesman. Yes, do dear—eh?

[Hedda goes into the back room and draws the curtains. A short pause. Suddenly she is heard playing a wild dance on the piano.

Mrs. Elvsted. [Starts from her chair.] Oh—what is that?

Tesman.

[Runs to the doorway.] Why, my dearest Hedda—don't play dance-music to-night! Just think of Aunt Rina! And of Eilert too!

Hedda.

[Puts her head out between the curtains.] And of Aunt Julia. And of all the rest of them.—After this, I will be quiet. [Closes the curtains again.]

Tesman.

[At the writing-table.] It's not good for her to see us at this distressing work. I'll tell you what, Mrs. Elvsted,—you shall take the empty room at Aunt Julia's, and then I will come over in the evenings, and we can sit and work there—eh?

Hedda.

[In the inner room.] I hear what you are saying, Tesman. But how am I to get through the evenings out here?