HEDDA.
No, thank you, my little Thea! Not there! You'll be good enough to come over here to me. I will sit between you.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes, just as you please. [She goes round the table and seats herself on the sofa on HEDDA'S right. LOVBORG re-seats himself on his chair.
LOVBORG.
[After a short pause, to HEDDA.] Is not she lovely to look at?
HEDDA.
[Lightly stroking her hair.] Only to look at!
LOVBORG.
Yes. For we two — she and I — we are two real comrades. We have absolute faith in each other; so we can sit and talk with perfect frankness — -
HEDDA.
Not round about, Mr. Lovborg?
LOVBORG.
Well — -
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Softly clinging close to HEDDA.] Oh, how happy I am, Hedda! For only think, he says I have inspired him too.
HEDDA.
[Looks at her with a smile.] Ah! Does he say that, dear?
LOVBORG.
And then she is so brave, Mrs. Tesman!
MRS. ELVSTED.
Good heavens — am I brave?
LOVBORG.
Exceedingly — where your comrade is concerned.
HEDDA.
Exceedingly — where your comrade is concerned.
HEDDA.
Ah, yes — courage! If one only had that!
LOVBORG.
What then? What do you mean?
HEDDA.
Then life would perhaps be liveable, after all. [With a sudden change of tone.] But now, my dearest Thea, you really must have a glass of cold punch.
MRS. ELVSTED.
No, thanks — I never take anything of that kind.
HEDDA.
Well then, you, Mr. Lovborg.
LOVBORG.
Nor I, thank you.
MRS. ELVSTED.
No, he doesn't either.
HEDDA.
[Looks fixedly at him.] But if I say you shall?
LOVBORG.
It would be of no use.
HEDDA.
[Laughing.] Then I, poor creature, have no sort of power over you?
LOVBORG.
Not in that respect.
HEDDA.
But seriously, I think you ought to — for your own sake.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Why, Hedda — -!
