[Holds out her hand for the packet.] No—don't give it to him! Not in such a hurry, I mean. Let me read it first.
TESMAN.
No, my dearest Hedda, I mustn't, I really mustn't.
HEDDA.
You must not?
TESMAN.
No—for you can imagine what a state of despair he will be in when he wakens and misses the manuscript. He has no copy of it, you must know! He told me so.
HEDDA.
[Looking searchingly at him.] Can such a thing not be reproduced? Written over again?
TESMAN.