Part 65

Nonsense! First you shall have a cup of tea, you little stupid. And then--at ten o'clock--Eilert Lovborg will be here--with vine-leaves in his hair.

ACT THIRD.

The room at the TESMANS'. The curtains are drawn over the middle doorway, and also over the glass door. The lamp, half turned down, and with a shade over it, is burning on the table. In the stove, the door of which stands open, there has been a fire, which is now nearly burnt out.

MRS. ELVSTED, wrapped in a large shawl, and with her feet upon a foot-rest, sits close to the stove, sunk back in the arm-chair. HEDDA, fully dressed, lies sleeping upon the sofa, with a sofa-blanket over her.

MRS. ELVSTED.

BERTA slips cautiously in by the hall door. She has a letter in her hand.

MRS. ELVSTED.

BERTA.

MRS. ELVSTED.

BERTA.

No, it's for Dr. Tesman, ma'am.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Oh, indeed.

BERTA.

It was Miss Tesman's servant that brought it. I'll lay it here on the table.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Yes, do.

BERTA.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Yes, put it out. It must soon be daylight now.

BERTA.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Yes, broad day! And no one come back yet--!

BERTA.

Lord bless you, ma'am--I guessed how it would be.

MRS. ELVSTED.

You guessed?

BERTA.