MR. PUNCH'S POCKET IBSEN.
(Condensed and Revised Version by Mr. P.'s Own Harmless Ibsenite.)
No. III.—HEDDA GABLER.
ACT. III.
SCENE.—The same Room, but—it being evening—darker than ever—The crape curtains are drawn. A Servant, with black ribbons in her cap, and red eyes, comes in and lights the gas quietly and carefully. Chords are heard on the piano in the back Drawing-room. Presently HEDDA comes in and looks out into the darkness. A short pause. Enter GEORGE TESMAN.
George. I am so uneasy about poor LÖVBORG. Fancy! he is not at home. Mrs. ELVSTED told me he had been here early this morning, so I suppose you gave him back his manuscript, eh?
Hedda (cold and immovable, supported by arm-chair). No, I put it on the fire instead.
George. On the fire! LÖVBORG'S wonderful new book that he read to me at BRACK'S party, when we had that wild revelry last night! Fancy that! But, I say, HEDDA—isn't that rather—eh? Too bad, you know—really. A great work like that. How on earth did you come to think of it?