Part 24

MRS. ELVSTED.

Well, to make a long story short: My husband did not know that I was coming.

HEDDA.

What! Your husband didn't know it!

MRS. ELVSTED.

No, of course not. For that matter, he was away from home himself-- he was travelling. Oh, I could bear it no longer, Hedda! I couldn't indeed--so utterly alone as I should have been in future.

HEDDA.

Well? And then?

MRS. ELVSTED.

So I put together some of my things--what I needed most--as quietly as possible. And then I left the house.

HEDDA.

Without a word?

MRS. ELVSTED.

Yes--and took the train to town.

HEDDA.

Why, my dear, good Thea--to think of you daring to do it!

MRS. ELVSTED.

HEDDA.

But what do you think your husband will say when you go home again?

MRS. ELVSTED.

HEDDA.

Of course.

MRS. ELVSTED.

I shall never go back to him again.

HEDDA.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Yes. There was nothing else to be done.

HEDDA.