MRS. ELVSTED.
My marriage?
HEDDA.
Yes.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Five years ago.
HEDDA.
To be sure; it must be that.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh those five years — -! Or at all events the last two or three of them! Oh, if you(6) could only imagine — -
HEDDA.
[Giving her a little slap on the hand.] De? Fie, Thea!
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes, yes, I will try — -. Well, if — you could only imagine and understand — -
HEDDA.
[Lightly.] Eilert Lovborg has been in your neighbourhood about three years, hasn't he?
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Looks at here doubtfully.] Eilert Lovborg? Yes — he has.
HEDDA.
Had you known him before, in town here?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Scarcely at all. I mean — I knew him by name of course.
HEDDA.
But you saw a good deal of him in the country?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes, he came to us every day. You see, he gave the children lessons; for in the long run I couldn't manage it all myself.
HEDDA.
No, that's clear. — And your husband — -? I suppose he is often away from home?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes. Being sheriff, you know, he has to travel about a good deal in his district.
HEDDA.
[Leaning against the arm of the chair.] Thea — my poor, sweet Thea — now you must tell me everything — exactly as it stands.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Well, then you must question me.
HEDDA.
What sort of a man is your husband, Thea? I mean — you know — in everyday life. Is he kind to you?
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Evasively.] I am sure he means well in everything.
HEDDA.
I should think he must be altogether too old for you. There is at least twenty years' difference between you, is there not?
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Irritably.] Yes, that is true, too. Everything about him is repellent to me! We have not a thought in common. We have no single point of sympathy — he and I.
HEDDA.
But is he not fond of you all the same? In his own way?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh I really don't know. I think he regards me simply as a useful property. And then it doesn't cost much to keep me. I am not expensive.
HEDDA.
That is stupid of you.
