Yes, yes—I suppose it depends on that——[Lightly.] But, by-the-bye—here is a letter for you.

Tesman.

Fancy——!

Hedda.

[Handing it to him.] It came early this morning.

Tesman.

It’s from Aunt Julia! What can it be? [He lays the packet on the other footstool, opens the letter, runs his eye through it, and jumps up.] Oh, Hedda—she says that poor Aunt Rina is dying!

Hedda.

Well, we were prepared for that.

Tesman.