Part 28

Thank you so much.

TESMAN.

But what do you think of Hedda--eh? Doesn't she look flourishing? She has actually--

HEDDA.

Oh, do leave me alone. You haven't thanked Judge Brack for all the trouble he has taken--

BRACK.

Oh, nonsense--it was a pleasure to me--

HEDDA.

Yes, you are a friend indeed. But here stands Thea all impatience to be off--so au revoir Judge. I shall be back again presently.

BRACK.

Well,--is your wife tolerably satisfied--

TESMAN.

Yes, we can't thank you sufficiently. Of course she talks of a little re-arrangement here and there; and one or two things are still wanting. We shall have to buy some additional trifles.

BRACK.

Indeed!

TESMAN.

But we won't trouble you about these things. Hedda says she herself will look after what is wanting.--Shan't we sit down? Eh?

BRACK.

Thanks, for a moment. [Seats himself beside the table.] There is something I wanted to speak to you about, my dear Tesman.

TESMAN.

Indeed? Ah, I understand! [Seating himself.] I suppose it's the serious part of the frolic that is coming now. Eh?

BRACK.

Oh, the money question is not so very pressing; though, for that matter, I wish we had gone a little more economically to work.

TESMAN.

But that would never have done, you know! Think of Hedda, my dear fellow! You, who know her so well--! I couldn't possibly ask her to put up with a shabby style of living!

BRACK.

No, no--that is just the difficulty.

TESMAN.