MRS. ELVSTED.
[Starts from her chair.] Oh — what is that?
TESMAN.
[Runs to the doorway.] Why, my dearest Hedda — don't play dance-music to-night! Just think of Aunt Rina! And of Eilert too!
HEDDA.
[Puts her head out between the curtains.] And of Aunt Julia. And of all the rest of them. — After this, I will be quiet. [Closes the curtains again.]
TESMAN.
[At the writing-table.] It's not good for her to see us at this distressing work. I'll tell you what, Mrs. Elvsted, — you shall take the empty room at Aunt Julia's, and then I will come over in the evenings, and we can sit and work there — eh?
HEDDA.
[In the inner room.] I hear what you are saying, Tesman. But how am I to get through the evenings out here?
TESMAN.
[Turning over the papers.] Oh, I daresay Judge Brack will be so kind as to look in now and then, even though I am out.
BRACK.
[In the arm-chair, calls out gaily.] Every blessed evening, with all the pleasure in life, Mrs. Tesman! We shall get on capitally together, we two!
HEDDA.
[Speaking loud and clear.] Yes, don't you flatter yourself we will, Judge Brack? Now that you are the one cock in the basket — - [A shot is heard within. TESMAN, MRS. ELVSTED, and BRACK leap to their feet.
TESMAN.
Oh, now she is playing with those pistols again. [He throws back the curtains and runs in, followed by MRS. ELVSTED. HEDDA lies stretched on the sofa, lifeless. Confusion and cries. BERTA enters in alarm from the right.
TESMAN.
[Shrieks to BRACK.] Shot herself! Shot herself in the temple! Fancy that!
BRACK.
[Half-fainting in the arm-chair.] Good God! — people don't do such things.
THE END
