[_Cheering up._] Still, we shall see Aunt Julie every day, and _that_ will be something, and I've got back my old slippers. We shan't be altogether without some amusements, eh? HEDDA. [_Crosses the floor._] Not while I have one thing to amuse myself with, at all events. GEORGE. [_Beaming with joy._] Oh, Heaven be praised and thanked for that! My goodness, so you have! And what may _that_ be, Hedda, eh? HEDDA. [_At the doorway, with suppressed scorn._] Yes, George you have the old slippers of the attentive aunt, and I have the horse-pistols of the deceased general! GEORGE. [_In an agony._] The pistols! Oh, my goodness! _what_ pistols? HEDDA. [_With cold eyes._] General Gabler's pistols--same which I shot--[_recollecting herself_]--no, that's Thackeray, not Ibsen--a _very_ different person. [_She goes through the back drawing-room._ GEORGE. [_At doorway, shouting after her._] Dearest Hedda, _not_ those dangerous things, eh? Why, they have never once been known to shoot straight yet! Don't! Have a catapult. For _my_ sake, have a catapult! [_Curtain._ * * * * * ACT SECOND SCENE--_The cheerful dark drawing-room. It is afternoon._ HEDDA _stands loading a revolver in the back drawing-room_. HEDDA. [_Looking out and shouting._] How do you do, Judge? [_Aims at him._] Mind yourself! [_She fires._ BRACK. [_Entering._] What the devil! Do you usually take pot-shots at casual visitors? [_Annoyed._ HEDDA. Invariably, when they come by the back-garden. It is my unconventional way of intimating that I am at home. One does do these things in realistic dramas, you know. And I was only aiming at the blue sky. BRACK. Which accounts for the condition of my hat. [_Exhibiting it._] Look here--_riddled!_ HEDDA. Couldn't help myself. I am so horribly bored with Tesman. Everlastingly to be with a professional person! BRACK. [_Sympathetically._] Our excellent Tesman is certainly a bit of a bore. [_Looks searchingly at her._] What on earth made you marry him? HEDDA. Tired of dancing, my dear, that's all. And then I used Tesman to take me home from parties; and we saw this villa; and I said I liked it, and so did he; and so we found some common ground, and here we are, do you see! And I loathe Tesman, and I don't even like the villa now; and I do feel the want of an entertaining companion so! BRACK. Try me. Just the kind of three-cornered arrangement that I like. Let me be the third person in the compartment--[_confidentially_]--the tried friend, and, generally speaking, cock of the walk! HEDDA. [_Audibly drawing in her breath._] I cannot resist your polished way of putting things. We will conclude a triple alliance. But hush!--here comes Tesman. [_Enter_ GEORGE _with a number of books under his arm._ GEORGE. Puff! I _am_ hot, Hedda. I've been looking into Lövborg's new book. Wonderfully thoughtful--confound him! But I must go and dress for your party, Judge. [_He goes out._