[Embracing her.] Oh yes, yes, Aunt Julia! Hedda-she is the best part of it all! I believe I hear her coming-eh?
HEDDA enters from the left through the inner room. Her face and figure show refinement and distinction. Her complexion is pale and opaque. Her steel-grey eyes express a cold, unruffled repose. Her hair is of an agreeable brown, but not particularly abundant. She is dressed in a tasteful, somewhat loose-fitting morning gown.
MISS TESMAN.
[Going to meet HEDDA.] Good morning, my dear Hedda! Good morning, and a hearty welcome!
HEDDA.
[Holds out her hand.] Good morning, dear Miss Tesman! So early a call! That is kind of you.
MISS TESMAN.
[With some embarra.s.sment.] Well-has the bride slept well in her new home?
HEDDA.
Oh yes, thanks. Pa.s.sably.
TESMAN.
[Laughing.] Pa.s.sably! Come, that"s good, Hedda! You were sleeping like a stone when I got up.
HEDDA.
Fortunately. Of course one has always to accustom one"s self to new surroundings, Miss Tesman-little by little. [Looking towards the left.] Oh, there the servant has gone and opened the veranda door, and let in a whole flood of sunshine.
MISS TESMAN.
[Going towards the door.] Well, then we will shut it.
HEDDA.
No no, not that! Tesman, please draw the curtains. That will give a softer light.
TESMAN.
[At the door.] All right-all right.-There now, Hedda, now you have both shade and fresh air.
HEDDA.
Yes, fresh air we certainly must have, with all these stacks of flowers-. But-won"t you sit down, Miss Tesman?
MISS TESMAN.
No, thank you. Now that I have seen that everything is all right here-thank heaven!-I must be getting home again. My sister is lying longing for me, poor thing.
TESMAN.
Give her my very best love, Auntie; and say I shall look in and see her later in the day.
MISS TESMAN.
Yes, yes, I"ll be sure to tell her. But by-the-bye, George-[Feeling in her dress pocket]-I had almost forgotten-I have something for you here.
TESMAN.
What is it, Auntie? Eh?
MISS TESMAN.
[Produces a flat parcel wrapped in newspaper and hands it to him.] Look here, my dear boy.
TESMAN.
[Opening the parcel.] Well, I declare!-Have you really saved them for me, Aunt Julia! Hedda! isn"t this touching-eh?
HEDDA.
[Beside the whatnot on the right.] Well, what is it?
TESMAN.
My old morning-shoes! My slippers.
HEDDA.
Indeed. I remember you often spoke of them while we were abroad.
TESMAN.
Yes, I missed them terribly. [Goes up to her.] Now you shall see them, Hedda!
HEDDA.
[Going towards the stove.] Thanks, I really don"t care about it.
TESMAN.
[Following her.] Only think-ill as she was, Aunt Rina embroidered these for me. Oh you can"t think how many a.s.sociations cling to them.
HEDDA.
[At the table.] Scarcely for me.
MISS TESMAN.
Of course not for Hedda, George.
TESMAN.
Well, but now that she belongs to the family, I thought- HEDDA.
[Interrupting.] We shall never get on with this servant, Tesman.
MISS TESMAN.
Not get on with Berta?
TESMAN.
Why, dear, what puts that in your head? Eh?
HEDDA.
[Pointing.] Look there! She has left her old bonnet lying about on a chair.
TESMAN.
[In consternation, drops the slippers on the floor.] Why, Hedda- HEDDA.
Just fancy, if any one should come in and see it!
TESMAN.
But Hedda-that"s Aunt Julia"s bonnet.
HEDDA.
Is it!
MISS TESMAN.
[Taking up the bonnet.] Yes, indeed it"s mine. And, what"s more, it"s not old, Madam Hedda.
HEDDA.
I really did not look closely at it, Miss Tesman.
MISS TESMAN.
[Trying on the bonnet.] Let me tell you it"s the first time I have worn it-the very first time.
TESMAN.
And a very nice bonnet it is too-quite a beauty!
MISS TESMAN.
Oh, it"s no such great things, George. [Looks around her.] My parasol-? Ah, here. [Takes it.] For this is mine too- [mutters] -not Berta"s.
TESMAN.
A new bonnet and a new parasol! Only think, Hedda.
HEDDA.
Very handsome indeed.
TESMAN.
Yes, isn"t it? Eh? But Auntie, take a good look at Hedda before you go! See how handsome she is!
MISS TESMAN.
Oh, my dear boy, there"s nothing new in that. Hedda was always lovely.
[She nods and goes toward the right.
TESMAN.
[Following.] Yes, but have you noticed what splendid condition she is in? How she has filled out on the journey?
HEDDA.
[Crossing the room.] Oh, do be quiet-!
MISS TESMAN.
[Who has stopped and turned.] Filled out?
TESMAN.
Of course you don"t notice it so much now that she has that dress on. But I, who can see- HEDDA.
[At the gla.s.s door, impatiently.] Oh, you can"t see anything.
TESMAN.
It must be the mountain air in the Tyrol- HEDDA.
[Curtly, interrupting.] I am exactly as I was when I started.
TESMAN.
So you insist; but I"m quite certain you are not. Don"t you agree with me, Auntie?
MISS TESMAN.