Ejlert Lövborg comes in from the hall; he is worn and pale, with red patches on his cheek-bones, and wears an elegant perfectly new visiting-suit and black gloves.
George.
Welcome! [Introduces him to Brack.] Listen—I have got your new book, but I haven't read it through yet.
Lövborg.
You needn't—it's rubbish. [Takes a packet of MSS. out.] This isn't. It's in three parts; the first about the civilising forces of the future, the second about the future of the civilising forces, and the third about the forces of the future civilisation. I thought I'd read you a little of it this evening?
Brack and George.
[Hastily.] Awfully nice of you—but there's a little party this evening—so sorry we can't stop! Won't you come too?
Hedda.
No, he must stop and read it to me and Mrs. Elvsted instead.
George.