Miss Tesman.
Good-bye—good-bye!
[She goes out by the hall door. Tesman accompanies her. The door remains half open. Tesman can be heard repeating his message to Aunt Rina and his thanks for the slippers.
[In the meantime, Hedda walks about the room, raising her arms and clenching her hands as if in desperation. Then she flings back the curtains from the glass door, and stands there looking out.
[Presently Tesman returns and closes the door behind him.
Tesman.
[Picks up the slippers from the floor.] What are you looking at, Hedda?
Hedda.
[Once more calm and mistress of herself.] I am only looking at the leaves. They are so yellow—so withered.
Tesman.
[Wraps up the slippers and lays them on the table.] Well you see, we are well into September now.
Hedda.
[Again restless.] Yes, to think of it!—Already in—in September.
Tesman.
Don't you think Aunt Julia's manner was strange, dear? Almost solemn? Can you imagine what was the matter with her? Eh?