A.

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.

[With a smile of malice.] Well, that is his vocation in life--or part of
it at any rate.

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.

[Sympathetically.] Do you really say so? In downright earnest?

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--

BRACK.

Well?

HEDDA.

--was being everlastingly in the company of--one and the same person--

BRACK.

[With a nod of assent.] Morning, noon, and night, yes--at all possible
times and seasons.

HEDDA.

I said "everlastingly."

BRACK.

Just so. But I should have thought, with our excellent Tesman, one
could--

HEDDA.

Tesman is--a specialist, my dear Judge.

BRACK.

Undeniable.

HEDDA.

And specialists are not at all amusing to travel with. Not in the long
run at any rate.

BRACK.

Not even--the specialist one happens to love?

HEDDA.

Faugh--don't use that sickening word!

BRACK.

[Taken aback.] What do you say, Mrs. Hedda?

HEDDA.

[Half laughing, half irritated.] You should just try it! To hear of
nothing but the history of civilisation, morning, noon, and night--

BRACK.

Everlastingly.

HEDDA.

Yes yes yes! And then all this about the domestic industry of the middle
ages--! That's the most disgusting part of it!

BRACK.

[Looks searchingly at her.] But tell me--in that case, how am I to
understand your--? H'm--

HEDDA.

My accepting George Tesman, you mean?

BRACK.

Well, let us put it so.

HEDDA.

Good heavens, do you see anything so wonderful in that?

BRACK.

Yes and no--Mrs. Hedda.

HEDDA.

I had positively danced myself tired, my dear Judge. My day was
done-- [With a slight shudder.] Oh no--I won't say that; nor think
it either!

BRACK.

You have assuredly no reason to.

HEDDA.

Oh, reasons-- [Watching him closely.] And Geo