Couldn't help myself. I am so horribly bored with Tesman. Everlastingly to be with a professional person!
Brack.
[Sympathetically.] Our excellent Tesman is certainly a bit of a bore. [Looks searchingly at her.] What on earth made you marry him?
Hedda.
Tired of dancing, my dear, that's all. And then I used Tesman to take me home from parties; and we saw this villa; and I said I liked it, and so did he; and so we found some common ground, and here we are, do you see! And I loathe Tesman, and I don't even like the villa now; and I do feel the want of an entertaining companion so!
Brack.
Try me. Just the kind of three-cornered arrangement that I like. Let me be the third person in the compartment—[confidentially]—the tried friend, and, generally speaking, cock of the walk!
Hedda.
[Audibly drawing in her breath.] I cannot resist your polished way of putting things. We will conclude a triple alliance. But hush!—here comes Tesman.
[Enter George with a number of books under his arm.