BERTHA. Yes, very free, especially for you.

AXEL. For you, too, but pleasanter for me.

BERTHA. That's a n.o.ble thought.

AXEL. Now, now--don't tear open the old wounds! We were talking about the supper. And we must not forget our guests. So! [Goes toward his room right.]

BERTHA. About the supper--yes, of course! That's what we were talking about.

[She flies toward her room left, stirred and agitated. They both go out.

The scene is empty for a moment. Then the Misses Hall come in from the orchard.]

MISS AMeLIE. How very dull it is here!

MISS THeReSE. Insufferably stupid, and our hosts are not altogether polite.

MISS AMeLIE. The hostess is especially unpleasant. And the short-hair kind, too.

MISS THeReSE. Yes, but I understand that a lieutenant is coming--

MISS AMeLIE. Well, that's good, for these artists are a lot of free traders. Hush, here is a diplomat surely.--He looks so distinguished.

[They sit on couch. Doctor ostermark comes in from the orchard; he discovers the Misses Hall and looks at them through his pince-nez.]

DR. oSTERMARK. I am honored, ladies. H'm, one meets so many of one's countrywomen here. Are you artists, too? You paint, I suppose?

MISS AMeLIE. No, we don't paint.

DR. oSTERMARK. Oh, but just a little, perhaps. Here in Paris all ladies paint--themselves.

MISS THeReSE. We don't have to.

DR. oSTERMARK. Oh, well, you play then?

MISS AMeLIE. Play?

DR. oSTERMARK. Oh, I don't mean playing at cards. But all ladies play a little.

MISS AMeLIE. Evidently you are just from the country.

DR. oSTERMARK. Yes, just from the country. Can I be of any slight service to you?

MISS THeReSE. Pardon, but we don't know with whom we have the honor--?

DR. oSTERMARK. You ladies have evidently just come from Stockholm. In this country we can talk to each other without asking for references.

MISS AMeLIE. We haven't asked for references.

DR. oSTERMARK. What do you ask, then? To have your curiosity satisfied?

Well, I'm an old family physician and my name is Anderson. Perhaps I may know your names now?--Character not needed.

MISS THeReSE. We are the Misses Hall, if that can be of any interest to the doctor.

DR. oSTERMARK. Hall? H'm! I've surely heard that name before. Pardon, pardon me a question, a somewhat countrified question--

MISS AMeLIE.--Don't be bashful!

DR. oSTERMARK. Is your father still living?

MISS AMeLIE. No, he is dead.

DR. oSTERMARK. Oh, yes. Well, now that I have gone so far, there is nothing to do but continue. Mr. Hall was--

MISS THeReSE. Our father was a director of the Fire Insurance Company of Goteborg.

DR. oSTERMARK. Oh, well, then I beg your pardon. Do you find Paris to your liking?

MISS AMELIE. Very! Therese, do you remember what I did with my shawl?

Such a cold draught here! [Rises.]

MISS THeReSE. You left it in the orchard, no doubt.

DR. oSTERMARK [Rising]. No, don't go out. Allow me to find it for you--no--sit still--just sit still.

[Goes out into orchard. After a moment Mrs. Hall comes in from left, quite comfortable with drink; her cheeks are flaming red and her voice is uncertain.]

MISS AMeLIE. Look, there's mother! And in that condition again! Heavens, why does she come here? Why did you come here, mother?

MRS. HALL. Keep quiet! I have as much right here as you.

MISS THeReSE. Why have you been drinking again? Think if some one should come!

MRS. HALL. I haven't been drinking. What nonsense!

MISS AMeLIE. We will be ruined if the doctor should come back and see you. Come, let's go in here and you can get a gla.s.s of water.

MRS. HALL. It's nice of you to treat your mother like this and say that she has been drinking, to say such a thing to your own mother!

MISS THeReSE. Don't talk, but go in, immediately.

[They lead her in right. Axel and Carl come in from the orchard.]

CARL. Well, you're looking fine, my dear Axel, and you have a manlier bearing than you used to have.

AXEL. Yes, I have emanc.i.p.ated myself.

CARL. You should have done that at the start, as I did.