HEDDA.
No no, let me clear it, I say! I will take these things in and put them on the piano. There!
[She has drawn out an object, covered with sheet music, from
under the bookcase, places several other pieces of music upon
it, and carries the whole into the inner room, to the left.
TESMAN lays the scraps of paper on the writing-table, and moves
the lamp there from the corner table. He and Mrs. Elvsted sit
down and proceed with their work. HEDDA returns.
HEDDA.
[Behind Mrs. Elvsted's chair, gently ruffling her hair.] Well, my sweet Thea,—how goes it with Eilert Lovborg's monument?
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Looks dispiritedly up at her.] Oh, it will be terribly hard to put in order.
TESMAN.
We must manage it. I am determined. And arranging other people's papers is just the work for me.
[HEDDA goes over to the stove, and seats herself on one of the
footstools. BRACK stands over her, leaning on the arm-chair.