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.

No, I don’t think that would be possible. For the inspiration, you see——

Hedda.