Tesman.

Is it really? Sheriff Elvsted’s wife? Miss Rysing that was.

Hedda.

Exactly. The girl with the irritating hair, that she was always showing off. An old flame of yours I’ve been told.

Tesman.

[Laughing.] Oh, that didn’t last long; and it was before I knew you, Hedda. But fancy her being in town!

Hedda.

It’s odd that she should call upon us. I have scarcely seen her since we left school.

Tesman.

I haven’t seen her either for—heaven knows how long. I wonder how she can endure to live in such an out-of-the way hole—eh?