Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/193

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Hedda.

But suppose you had a total stranger on your hands——

Miss Tesman.

Oh, one soon makes friends with sick folk; and it's such an absolute necessity for me to have some one to live for. Well, heaven be praised, there may soon be something in this house, too, to keep an old aunt busy.

Hedda.

Oh, don't trouble about anything here.

Tesman.

Yes, just fancy what a nice time we three might have together, if——?

Hedda.

If——?

Tesman.

[Uneasily.] Oh, nothing. It will all come right. Let us hope so—eh?

Miss Tesman.

Well well, I daresay you two want to talk to each other. [Smiling.] And perhaps Hedda may have something to tell you too, George. Good-bye! I must go home to Rina. [Turning at the door.] How strange it is to think that now Rina is with me and with my poor brother as well!

Tesman.

Yes, fancy that, Aunt Julia! Eh?

[Miss Tesman goes out by the hall door.