Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/93

 Brack.

[With a little hesitation, rising and resting his hands on the back of his chair.] My dear Tesman—and you too, Mrs. Tesman—I think I ought not to keep you in the dark about something that—that

Tesman.

That concerns Eilert?

Brack.

Both you and him.

Tesman.

Well, my dear Judge, out with it.

Brack.

You must be prepared to find your appointment deferred longer than you desired or expected.

Tesman.

[Jumping up uneasily.] Is there some hitch about it? Eh?

Brack.

The nomination may perhaps be made conditional on the result of a competition

Tesman.

Competition! Think of that, Hedda!

Hedda.

[Leans further back in the chair.] Aha—aha!

Tesman.

But who can my competitor be? Surely not?