BRACK.
[In the doorway, laughing to her.] Oh, people don't shoot their tame poultry, I fancy.
HEDDA.
[Also laughing.] Oh no, when there is only one cock in the basket—
[They exchange laughing nods of farewell. He goes. She closes
the door behind him.
[HEDDA, who has become quite serious, stands for a moment
looking out. Presently she goes and peeps through the
curtain over the middle doorway. Then she goes to the
writing-table, takes LOVBORG'S packet out of the bookcase,
and is on the point of looking through its contents. BERTA
is heard speaking loudly in the hall. HEDDA turns and
listens. Then she hastily locks up the packet in the drawer,
and lays the key on the inkstand.
EILERT LOVBORG, with his greatcoat on and his hat in his
hand, tears open the hall door. He looks somewhat confused
and irritated.
LOVBORG.
[Looking towards the hall.] and I tell you I must and will come in! There!
[He closes the door, turns, sees HEDDA, at once regains his self-
control, and bows.
HEDDA.