Capitally; we've made out the first two parts already. And really, Hedda, I do believe Mrs. Elvsted _is_ inspiring me; I begin to feel it coming on. Fancy that! MRS. ELVSTED. Yes, goodness! Hedda, _won't_ it be lovely if I can. I mean to try _so_ hard! HEDDA. Do, you dear little silly rabbit; and while you are trying I will go into the back drawing-room and lie down. [_She goes into the back room and draws the curtains. Short pause. Suddenly she is heard playing_ "The Bogie Man" _within on the piano._ GEORGE. But, dearest Hedda, don't play "_The Bogie Man_" this evening. As one of my aunts is dead, and poor old Lövborg has shot himself, it seems just a little pointed, eh? HEDDA. [_Puts her head out between the curtains._] All right. I'll be quiet after this. I'm going to practise with the late General Gabler's pistol! [_Closes the curtains again;_ GEORGE _gets behind the stove_, JUDGE BRACK _under the table, and_ MRS. ELVSTED _under the sofa. A shot is heard within._ GEORGE. [_Behind the stove._] Eh, look here, I tell you what--she's hit me! Think of that! [_His legs are visibly agitated for a short time. Another shot is heard._ MRS. ELVSTED. [_Under the sofa._] Oh, please, not me! Oh, goodness, now I can't inspire anybody any more. Oh! [_Her feet, which can be seen under the valance, quiver a little and then are suddenly still._ BRACK. [_Vivaciously, from under the table._] I say, Mrs. Hedda, I'm coming in every evening--we will have great fun here togeth----[_Another shot is heard._] Bless me! to bring down the poor old cock-of-the-walk--it's unsportsmanlike!--people don't _do_ such things as that! [_The table-cloth is violently agitated for a minute, and presently the curtains open, and_ HEDDA _appears._ HEDDA. [_Clearly and firmly._] I've been trying in there to shoot myself beautifully--but with General Gabler's pistol--[_She lifts the table-cloth, then looks behind the stove and under the sofa._] What! the accounts of all those everlasting bores settled? Then my suicide becomes unnecessary. Yes, I feel the courage of life once more! [_She goes into the back-room and plays_ "The Funeral March of a Marionette" _as the Curtain falls._] [Illustration: "What! the accounts of all those everlasting bores settled?"] * * * * * THE WILD DUCK ACT FIRST