Mrs. Elvsted, dressed as in the first Act, with hat and cloak, enters by the hall door.
Mrs. Elvsted.
[Greets them hurriedly, and says in evident agitation.] Oh, dear Hedda, forgive my coming again.
Hedda.
What is the matter with you, Thea?
Tesman.
Something about Eilert Lövborg again—eh?
Mrs. Elvsted.
Yes! I am dreadfully afraid some misfortune has happened to him.
Hedda.
[Seizes her arm.] Ah,—do you think so!
Tesman.
Why, good Lord—what makes you think that, Mrs. Elvsted?
Mrs. Elvsted.
I heard them talking of him at my boarding-house—just as I came in. Oh, the most incredible rumours are afloat about him to-day.
Tesman.
Yes, fancy, so I heard too! And I can bear witness that he went straight home to bed last night. Fancy that!
Hedda.
Well, what did they say at the boarding-house?
