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"The most radical revolutionary will become a conservative the day after the revolution."
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Act Second - Page 2
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Well, we must just settle down here--and wait. Tesman is not likely to be back for some time yet.
BRACK.
Never mind; I shall not be impatient.
HEDDA seats herself in the corner of the sofa. BRACK lays his overcoat over the back of the nearest chair, and sits down, but keeps his hat in his hand. A short silence. They look at each other.
HEDDA.
Well?
BRACK.
[In the same tone.] Well?
HEDDA.
I spoke first.
BRACK.
[Bending a little forward.] Come, let us have a cosy little chat, Mrs. Hedda.(8)
HEDDA.
[Leaning further back in the sofa.] Does it not seem like a whole eternity since our last talk? Of course I don't count those few words yesterday evening and this morning.
BRACK.
You mean since out last confidential talk? Our last tete-a-tete?
HEDDA.
Well yes--since you put it so.
BRACK.
Not a day passed but I have wished that you were home again.
HEDDA.
And I have done nothing but wish the same thing.
BRACK.
You? Really, Mrs. Hedda? And I thought you had been enjoying your tour so much!
HEDDA.
Oh yes, you may be sure of that!
BRACK.
But Tesman's letters spoke of nothing but happiness.
HEDDA.
Oh, Tesman! You see, he thinks nothing is so delightful as grubbing in libraries and making copies of old parchments, or whatever you call them.
BRACK.
[With a smile of malice.] Well, that is his vocation in life--or part of it at any rate.
HEDDA.
Yes, of course; and no doubt when it's your vocation---. But I! Oh, my dear Mr. Brack, how mortally bored I have been.
BRACK.
[Sympathetically.] Do you really say so? In downright earnest?
HEDDA.
Yes, you can surely understand it---! To go for six whole months without meeting a soul that knew anything of our circle, or could talk about things we were interested in.
BRACK.
Yes, yes--I too should feel that a deprivation.
HEDDA.
And then, what I found most intolerable of all---
BRACK.
Well?
HEDDA.
---was being everlastingly in the company of--one and the same person--
BRACK.
[With a nod of assent.] Morning, noon, and night, yes--at all possible times and seasons.
HEDDA.
I said "everlastingly."
BRACK.
Just so. But I should have thought, with our excellent Tesman, one could---
HEDDA.
Tesman is--a specialist, my dear Judge.
BRACK.
Undeniable.
HEDDA.
And specialists are not at all amusing to travel with. Not in the long run at any rate.
BRACK.
Not even--the specialist one
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