Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/76

 Mrs. Elvsted.

My name is Thea.[1]

Hedda.

Why, of course! I meant Thea. [Looks at her compassionately.] So you are not accustomed to goodness and kindness, Thea? Not in your own home?

Mrs. Elvsted.

Oh, if I only had a home! But I haven't any; I have never had a home.

Hedda.

[Looks at her for a moment.] I almost suspected as much.

Mrs. Elvsted.

[Gazing helplessly before her.] Yes—yes—yes.

Hedda.

I don't quite remember—was it not as housekeeper that you first went to Mr. Elvsted's?

Mrs. Elvsted.

I really went as governess. But his wife—his late wife—was an invalid,—and rarely left her room. So I had to look after the housekeeping as well.

Hedda.

And then—at last—you became mistress of the house.

Mrs. Elvsted.

[Sadly.] Yes, I did.

Hedda.

Let me see—about how long ago was that?

1 Pronounce Tora and Taya.