Part 71

HEDDA.

I daresay.

TESMAN.

But now comes the strange part of it, Hedda; or, I should rather say, the melancholy part of it. I declare I am almost ashamed--on Eilert's account--to tell you--

HEDDA.

Oh, go on--!

TESMAN.

Well, as we were getting near town, you see, I happened to drop a little behind the others. Only for a minute or two--fancy that!

HEDDA.

Yes yes yes, but--?

TESMAN.

And then, as I hurried after them--what do you think I found by the wayside? Eh?

HEDDA.

Oh, how should I know!

TESMAN.

You mustn't speak of it to a soul, Hedda! Do you hear! Promise me, for Eilert's sake. [Draws a parcel, wrapped in paper, from his coat pocket.] Fancy, dear--I found this.

HEDDA.

Is not that the parcel he had with him yesterday?

TESMAN.

Yes, it is the whole of his precious, irreplaceable manuscript! And he had gone and lost it, and knew nothing about it. Only fancy, Hedda! So deplorably--

HEDDA.

But why did you not give him back the parcel at once?

TESMAN.

I didn't dare to--in the state he was then in--

HEDDA.

Did you not tell any of the others that you had found it?

TESMAN.

Oh, far from it! You can surely understand that, for Eilert's sake, I wouldn't do that.