Part 36

BRACK.

HEDDA.

BRACK.

You mean since our last confidential talk? Our last tete-a-tete?

HEDDA.

Well yes--since you put it so.

BRACK.

Not a day passed but I have wished that you were home again.

HEDDA.

And I have done nothing but wish the same thing.

BRACK.

You? Really, Mrs. Hedda? And I thought you had been enjoying your tour so much!

HEDDA.

Oh yes, you may be sure of that!

BRACK.

But Tesman's letters spoke of nothing but happiness.

HEDDA.

Oh, Tesman! You see, he thinks nothing is so delightful as grubbing in libraries and making copies of old parchments, or whatever you call them.

BRACK.

HEDDA.

Yes, of course; and no doubt when it's your vocation--. But I! Oh, my dear Mr. Brack, how mortally bored I have been.

BRACK.

HEDDA.

Yes, you can surely understand it--! To go for six whole months without meeting a soul that knew anything of our circle, or could talk about things we were interested in.

BRACK.

Yes, yes--I too should feel that a deprivation.

HEDDA.

And then, what I found most intolerable of all--