Tesman.

Oh, I almost think I understand you, Hedda! [Clasps his hands together.] Great heavens! do you really mean it! Eh?

Hedda.

Don’t shout so. The servant might hear.

Tesman.

[Laughing in irrepressible glee.] The servant! Why, how absurd you are, Hedda. It’s only my old Berta! Why, I’ll tell Berta myself.

Hedda.

[Clenching her hands together in desperation.] Oh, it is killing me,—it is killing me, all this!

Tesman.

What is, Hedda? Eh?