don’t see anything absolutely ridiculous about him.⁠—Do you? Brack Ridiculous? N⁠—no⁠—I shouldn’t exactly say so⁠— Hedda Well⁠—and his powers of research, at all events, are untiring.⁠—I see no reason why he should not one day come to the front, after all. Brack Looks at her hesitatingly. I thought that you, like everyone else, expected him to attain the highest distinction. Hedda With an expression of fatigue. Yes, so I did.⁠—And then, since he was bent, at all hazards, on being allowed to provide for me⁠—I really don’t know why I should not have accepted his offer? Brack No⁠—if you look at it in that light⁠— Hedda It was more than my other adorers were prepared to do for me, my dear Judge. Brack Laughing. Well, I can’t answer for all the rest; but as for myself, you know quite well that I have always entertained a⁠—a certain respect for the marriage tie⁠—for marriage as an institution, Mrs. Hedda. Hedda Jestingly. Oh, I assure you I have never cherished any hopes with respect to you. Brack All I require is a pleasant and intimate interior, where I can make myself useful in every way, and am free to come and go as⁠—as a trusted friend⁠— Hedda Of the master of the house, do you mean? Brack Bowing. Frankly⁠—of the mistress first of all; but of course of the master too, in the second place. Such a triangular friendship⁠—if I may call it so⁠—is really a great convenience for all the parties, let me tell you. Hedda Yes, I have many a time longed for someone to make a third on our travels. Oh⁠—those railway carriage tête-à-têtes⁠—! Brack Fortunately your wedding journey is over now. Hedda Shaking her head. Not by a long⁠—long way. I have only arrived at a station on the line. Brack Well, then the passengers jump out and move about a little, Mrs. Hedda. Hedda I never jump out. Brack Really? Hedda No⁠—because there is always someone standing by to⁠— Brack Laughing. To look at your ankles, do you mean? Hedda Precisely. Brack Well but, dear me⁠— Hedda With a gesture of repulsion. I won’t have it. I would rather keep my seat where I happen to be⁠—and continue the tête-à-tête. Brack But suppose a third person were to jump in and join the couple. Hedda Ah⁠—that is quite another matter! Brack A trusted, sympathetic friend⁠— Hedda —with a fund of conversation on all sorts of lively topics⁠— Brack —and not the least bit of a specialist! Hedda With an audible sigh. Yes, that would be a relief indeed. Brack Hears the front door open, and glances in that direction. The triangle is completed. Hedda Half aloud. And on goes the train. George Tesman, in a grey walking suit, with a soft felt hat, enters from the hall. He has a number of unbound books under his arm and in his pockets. Tesman Goes up to the table beside the corner settee. Ouf⁠—what a load for a warm day⁠—all these books. Lays them on the table. I’m positively perspiring, Hedda. Hallo⁠—are you there already, my dear Judge? Eh? Berta didn’t tell me. Brack Rising. I came in through the garden. Hedda What books have you got there? Tesman Stands looking them through. Some new books on my special subjects⁠—quite indispensable to me. Hedda Your special subjects? Brack Yes, books on his special subjects, Mrs. Tesman. Brack and Hedda exchange a confidential smile. Hedda Do you need still more books on your special subjects? Tesman Yes, my dear Hedda, one can never have too many of them. Of course one must keep up with all that is written and published. Hedda Yes, I suppose one must. Tesman Searching among his books. And look here⁠—I have got hold of Eilert Lövborg’s new book too. Offering it to her. Perhaps you would like to glance through it, Hedda? Eh? Hedda No, thank you. Or rather⁠—afterwards perhaps. Tesman I looked into it a little on the way home. Brack Well, what do you think of it⁠—as a specialist? Tesman I think it shows quite remarkable soundness of judgment. He never wrote like that before. Putting the books together. Now I shall take all these into my study. I’m longing to cut the leaves⁠—! And then I must change my clothes. To Brack. I suppose we needn’t start just yet? Eh? Brack Oh, dear no⁠—there is not the slightest hurry. Tesman Well then, I will take my time. Is going with his books, but stops in the doorway and turns. By the by, Hedda⁠—Aunt Julia is not coming this evening. Hedda Not coming? Is it that affair of the bonnet that keeps her away? Tesman Oh, not at all. How could you think such a thing of Aunt Julia? Just fancy⁠—! The fact is, Aunt Rina is very ill. Hedda She always is. Tesman Yes, but today she is much worse than usual, poor dear. Hedda Oh, then it’s only natural that her sister should remain with her. I must bear my disappointment. Tesman And you can’t imagine, dear, how delighted Aunt Julia seemed to be⁠—because you had come home looking so flourishing! Hedda Half aloud, rising. Oh, those everlasting Aunts! Tesman What? Hedda Going to the glass door. Nothing. Tesman Oh, all right. He goes through the inner room, out to the right. Brack What bonnet were you talking about? Hedda Oh, it was a little episode with Miss Tesman this morning. She had laid down her bonnet on the chair there⁠—Looks at him and smiles.⁠—and I pretended to think it was the servant’s. Brack Shaking his head. Now my dear Mrs. Hedda, how could you do such a thing? To the excellent old lady, too! Hedda Nervously crossing the room. Well, you see⁠—these impulses come over me all of a sudden; and I cannot resist them. Throws herself down in the easy chair by the stove. Oh, I don’t know how to explain it. Brack Behind the easy chair. You are not really happy⁠—that is at the bottom of it. Hedda Looking straight before her. I know of no reason why I should be⁠—happy. Perhaps you can give me one? Brack Well⁠—amongst other things, because