He has no copy of it, you must know!
He told me so.

HEDDA.

[Looking searchingly at him.] Can such a thing not be reproduced?
Written over again?

TESMAN.

No, I don't think that would be possible. For the inspiration, you
see--

HEDDA.

Yes, yes--I suppose it depends on that--[Lightly.] But, by-the-bye
--here is a letter for you.

TESMAN.

Fancy--!

HEDDA.

[Handing it to him.] It came early this morning.

TESMAN.

It's from Aunt Julia! What can it be? [He lays the packet on the other
footstool, opens the letter, runs his eye through it, and jumps up.] Oh,
Hedda--she says that poor Aunt Rina is dying!

HEDDA.

Well, we were prepared for that.

TESMAN.

And that if I want to see her again, I must make haste. I'll run in to
them at once.

HEDDA.

[Suppressing a smile.] Will you run?

TESMAN.

Oh, my dearest Hedda--if you could only make up your mind to come with
me! Just think!

HEDDA.

[Rises and says wearily, repelling the idea.] No, no don't ask me. I
will not look upon sickness and death. I loathe all sorts of ugliness.

TESMAN.

Well, well, then--! [Bustling around.] My hat--? My overcoat--? Oh,
in the hall--. I do hope I mayn't come too late, Hedda! Eh?

HEDDA.

Oh, if you run-- [BERTA appears at the hall door.

BERTA.

Judge Brack is at the door, and wishes to know if he may come in.

TESMAN.

At this time! No, I can't possibly see him.

HEDDA.

But I can. [To BERTA.] Ask Judge Brack to come in. [BERTA goes out.

HEDDA.

[Quickly, whispering.] The parcel, Tesman!

[She snatches it up from the stool.

TESMAN.

Yes, give it to me!

HEDDA.

No, no, I will keep it till you come back.

[She goes to the writing-table and places it in the bookcase.
TESMAN stands in a flurry of haste, and cannot get his
gloves on.

JUDGE BRACK enters from the hall.

HEDDA.

[Nodding to him.] You are an early bird, I must say.

BRACK.

Yes, don't you think so! [To TESMAN.] Are you on the move, too?

TESMAN.

Yes, I must rush of to my aunts'. Fancy--the invalid one is lying at
death's door, poor creature.

BRACK.

Dear me, is she indeed? Then on no account let me detain you. At such a
critical moment--

TESMAN.

Yes, I must really rush-- Good-bye! Good-bye!

[He hastens out by the hall door.

HEDDA.

[Approaching.] You seem to have made a particularly lively night of it
at you