The Greatest Works of Henrik Ibsen. Henrik Ibsen
here.
She draws Mrs. Elvsted down upon the sofa and sits at her side.
Tesman. Well? What is it, Mrs. Elvsted —?
Hedda. Has anything particular happened to you at home?
Mrs. Elvsted. Yes — and no. Oh — I am so anxious you should not misunderstand me —
Hedda. Then your best plan is to tell us the whole story, Mrs. Elvsted.
Tesman. I suppose that’s what you have come for — eh?
Mrs. Elvsted. Yes, yes — of course it is. Well then, I must tell you — if you don’t already know — that Eilert Lovborg is in town, too.
Hedda. Lovborg —!
Tesman. What! Has Eilert Lovborg come back? Fancy that, Hedda!
Hedda. Well well — I hear it.
Mrs. Elvsted. He has been here a week already. Just fancy — a whole week! In this terrible town, alone! With so many temptations on all sides.
Hedda. But, my dear Mrs. Elvsted — how does he concern you so much?
Mrs. Elvsted. [Looks at her with a startled air, and says rapidly.] He was the children’s tutor.
Hedda. Your children’s?
Mrs. Elvsted. My husband’s. I have none.
Hedda. Your step-children’s, then?
Mrs. Elvsted. Yes.
Tesman. [Somewhat hesitatingly.] Then was he — I don’t know how to express it — was he — regular enough in his habits to be fit for the post? Eh?
Mrs. Elvsted. For the last two years his conduct has been irreproachable.
Tesman. Has it indeed? Fancy that, Hedda!
Hedda. I hear it.
Mrs. Elvsted. Perfectly irreproachable, I assure you! In every respect. But all the same — now that I know he is here — in this great town — and with a large sum of money in his hands — I can’t help being in mortal fear for him.
Tesman. Why did he not remain where he was? With you and your husband? Eh?
Mrs. Elvsted. After his book was published he was too restless and unsettled to remain with us.
Tesman. Yes, by-the-bye, Aunt Julia told me he had published a new book.
Mrs. Elvsted. Yes, a big book, dealing with the march of civilisation — in broad outline, as it were. It came out about a fortnight ago. And since it has sold so well, and been so much read — and made such a sensation —
Tesman. Has it indeed? It must be something he has had lying by since his better days.
Mrs. Elvsted. Long ago, you mean?
Tesman. Yes.
Mrs. Elvsted. No, he has written it all since he has been with us — within the last year.
Tesman. Isn’t that good news, Hedda? Think of that.
Mrs. Elvsted. Ah yes, if only it would last!
Hedda. Have you seen him here in town?
Mrs. Elvsted. No, not yet. I have had the greatest difficulty in finding out his address. But this morning I discovered it at last.
Hedda. [Looks searchingly at her.] Do you know, it seems to me a little odd of your husband — h’m —
Mrs. Elvsted. [Starting nervously.] Of my husband! What?
Hedda. That he should send you to town on such an errand — that he does not come himself and look after his friend.
Mrs. Elvsted. Oh no, no — my husband has no time. And besides, i — i had some shopping to do.
Hedda. [With a slight smile.] Ah, that is a different matter.
Mrs. Elvsted. [Rising quickly and uneasily.] And now I beg and implore you, Mr. Tesman — receive Eilert Lovborg kindly if he comes to you! And that he is sure to do. You see you were such great friends in the old days. And then you are interested in the same studies — the same branch of science — so far as I can understand.
Tesman. We used to be at any rate.
Mrs. Elvsted. That is why I beg so earnestly that you — you too — will keep a sharp eye upon him. Oh, you will promise me that, Mr. Tesman — won’t you?
Tesman. With the greatest of pleasure, Mrs. Rysing —
Hedda. Elvsted.
Tesman. I assure you I shall do all I possibly can for Eilert. You may rely upon me.
Mrs. Elvsted. Oh, how very, very kind of you! [Presses his hands.] Thanks, thanks, thanks! [Frightened.] You see, my husband is so very fond of him!
Hedda. [Rising.] You ought to write to him, Tesman. Perhaps he may not care to come to you of his own accord.
Tesman. Well, perhaps it would be the right thing to do, Hedda? Eh?
Hedda. And the sooner the better. Why not at once?
Mrs. Elvsted. [Imploringly.] Oh, if you only would!
Tesman. I’ll write this moment. Have you his address, Mrs.— Mrs. Elvsted.
Mrs. Elvsted. Yes. [Takes a slip of paper from her pocket, and hands it to him.] Here it is.
Tesman. Good, good. Then I’ll go in — [Looks about him.] By-the-bye,— my slippers? Oh, here. [Takes the packet and is about to go.
Hedda. Be sure you write him a cordial, friendly letter. And a good long one too.
Tesman. Yes, I will.
Mrs. Elvsted. But please, please don’t say a word to show that I have suggested it.
Tesman. No, how could you think I would? Eh?
He goes out to the right, through the inner room.
Hedda. [Goes up to Mrs. Elvsted, smiles, and says in a low voice.] There! We have killed two birds with one stone.
Mrs. Elvsted. What do you mean?
Hedda. Could you not see that I wanted him to go?
Mrs. Elvsted. Yes, to write the letter —
Hedda. And that I might speak to you alone.
Mrs. Elvsted. [Confused.] About the same thing?
Hedda. Precisely.
Mrs. Elvsted. [Apprehensively.] But there is nothing more, Mrs. Tesman! Absolutely nothing!
Hedda. Oh yes, but there is. There is a great deal more — I can see that. Sit here — and we’ll have a cosy, confidential chat.
She forces Mrs. Elvsted to sit in the easy-chair beside the stove, and seats herself on one of the footstools.
Mrs. Elvsted. [Anxiously, looking at her watch.] But, my dear Mrs. Tesman — I was really on the point of going.
Hedda. Oh, you can’t be in such a hurry.— Well? Now tell me something about your life at home.
Mrs. Elvsted. Oh, that is just what I care least to speak about.
Hedda. But to me, dear —? Why, weren’t we schoolfellows?
Mrs. Elvsted. Yes, but you were in the class above me. Oh, how dreadfully afraid of you I was then!
Hedda. Afraid of me?
Mrs. Elvsted. Yes, dreadfully. For when we met on the stairs you used always to pull my hair.
Hedda. Did I, really?
Mrs. Elvsted. Yes, and once you said you would burn it off my head.
Hedda. Oh that was all nonsense, of course.
Mrs. Elvsted. Yes, but I was so