[Scene.-Same.
But the glass doors leading to orchard are open.
The sun is still shining outside and the studio is
brightly lighted. The side doors are open.
A serving table is seen out in the orchard; on it are
glasses and bottles, et cetera. Axel wears
cutaway, but without the decoration, and is wearing
a standing collar with four-in-hand scarf. His
hair is brushed straight back. Bertha wears a
dark gown, cut square, with frilled fichu. She
has a flower on the left shoulder. The Misses
Hall are extravagantly and expensively dressed.
Bertha enters from orchard. She is pale and has
dark shadows under her eyes. Abel enters from
door at back. They embrace and kiss each other.]
Bertha. Good afternoon, and welcome.
Abel. Good afternoon.
Bertha. And Gaga promised to come?
Abel. Absolutely certain.
He was in a regretful spirit and begged forgiveness.
[Bertha straightens out her fichu.] But what is the
matter with you today? Has anything happened?
Bertha. How so? What?
Abel. You are not like yourself. Have
you ? Bertha! Have you-
Bertha. Don’t talk.
Abel. Your eyes are so full
of color and brilliancy! What? Is is possible ?
And so pale? Bertha!
Bertha. I must go out to my guests.
Abel. Tell me, are Carl and Oestermark here?
Bertha. Both are out in the orchard.
Abel. And Mrs. Hall and the girls?
Bertha. Mrs. Hall will come litter, but
the girls are in my room.
Abel. I’m afraid that
our scheme of revenge will fall as flat as a pancake.
Bertha. No, not this-not this
one!
[Willmer enters with a bouquet of
flowers. He goes to Bertha, kisses her hand,
and gives her the bouquet.]
Willmer. Forgive me! For my love’s
sake!
Bertha. No, not on that
account, but-it doesn’t matter.
I don’t know why, but today I don’t want
any enemies.
[Axel comes in. Bertha and Willmer look distressed.]
Axel [To Bertha, not noticing Willmer].
Pardon-if I disturb-
Bertha. Not at all.
Axel. I only wanted to ask if you had ordered
the supper?
Bertha. Yes, of course-as you
wished.
Axel. Very well. I only wanted to know.
[Pause.]
Abel. How festive you two
look! [Bertha and Axel are silent. Willmer breaks
the embarrassment by starting for the orchard.] Listen,
Gaga-
[She hastens out after Willmer.]
Axel. What have you ordered for the supper?
Bertha [Looks at him and smiles]. Lobsters
and poulet.
Axel [Uncertain]. What are you smiling at?
Bertha. My thoughts.
Axel. What are you thinking then?
Bertha. I am thinking-no,
I really don’t know-unless it was
about the betrothal supper we had together in the
Gardens that spring evening when you had wooed-
Axel. You had wooed-
Bertha. Axel!-And now it is the
last, last time. It was a short summer.
Axel. Quite short, but the sun will come
again.
Bertha. Yes, for you who can find sunshine
in every street.
Axel. What is there to hinder you from seeking
warmth at the same fire?
Bertha. And so we shall
meet again, perhaps-some evening by street
light, you mean?
Axel. I didn’t mean
that-but a la bonne heure! That
at least will be a free relation.
BERTHA. Yes, very free, especially for you.
AXEL. For you, too, but pleasanter for me.
BERTHA. That’s a noble 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 Oestermark
comes in from the orchard; he discovers the Misses
Hall and looks at them through his pince-nez.]
DR. OeSTERMARK. 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. OeSTERMARK. Oh, but just
a little, perhaps. Here in Paris all ladies paint-themselves.
MISS THERESE. We don’t have to.
DR. OeSTERMARK. Oh, well, you play then?
MISS AMELIE. Play?
DR. OeSTERMARK. Oh, I don’t
mean playing at cards. But all ladies play a
little.
MISS AMELIE. Evidently you are just from the
country.
DR. OeSTERMARK. 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. OeSTERMARK. 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. OeSTERMARK. 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. OeSTERMARK. 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. OeSTERMARK. Is your father still living?
MISS AMELIE. No, he is dead.
DR. OeSTERMARK. 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
Goeteborg.
DR. OeSTERMARK. 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. OeSTERMARK [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 glass 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 emancipated myself.
CARL. You should have done that at the start,
as I did.
AXEL. As you did?
CARL. As I did. Immediately
I took my position as head of the family, to which
place I found myself called both because of my superior
mind and my natural abilities.
AXEL. And how did your wife like that?
CARL. Do you know, I forgot to
ask her! But to judge by appearances, I should
say that she found things as they should be. They
only need real men-and human beings can
be made even out of women.
AXEL. But at least the power should be divided?
CARL. Power cannot be divided! Either obey
or command. Either you or I.
I preferred myself to her, and she had to adjust herself
to it.
AXEL. Yes, but didn’t she have money?
CARL. Not at all. She didn’t
bring more than a silver soup-spoon to our nest.
But she demanded an accounting of it; and she got it.
She was a woman of principle, you see!-She
is so good, so good, but so am I good to her.
I think it’s really great sport to be married,
what? And besides, she’s such a splendid
cook!
[The Misses Hall come in from right.]
AXEL. Let me introduce you to the Misses Hall,
Lieutenant Starck.
CARL. I am very happy to make
your [Carl gives them a look of recognition] acquaintance.
[The young ladies seem surprised and
embarrassed; they nod and go out to the orchard somewhat
excited.]
CARL. How did they get in here?
AXEL. What do you mean?
They are friends of my wife’s and this is the
first time that they have been here. Do you know
them?
CARL. Yes, somewhat!
AXEL. What do you mean to imply?
CARL. H’m, I met them in St. Petersburg
late one night!
AXEL. Late one night?
CARL. Yes.
AXEL. Isn’t there some mistake?
CARL. No-o! There is no mistake. They
were very well known ladies in St.
Petersburg.
AXEL. And Bertha allows that kind in my house!
[Bertha comes rushing in from orchard.]
BERTHA. What does this mean? Have you insulted
the young ladies?
AXEL. No-but-
BERTHA. They came out of here
crying and declared that they couldn’t stay
in the company of you gentlemen any longer! What
has happened?
AXEL. Do you know these young ladies?
BERTHA. They are my friends! Isn’t
that enough?
AXEL. Not quite enough.
BERTHA. Not quite? Well, but if-
[Dr. Oestermark comes in from the orchard.]
DR. OeSTERMARK. What does this
mean? What have you done to the little girls
who ran away? I offered to help them with their
wraps, but they refused to be helped and had tears
in their eyes.
CARL [To Bertha]. I must ask you, are they your
friends?
BERTHA. Yes, they are! But
if my protection is not sufficient, then perhaps Doctor
Oestermark will take them under his wing, considering
that he has a certain claim to them.
CARL. But a mistake has been
made here. You mean that I, who have had certain
relations with these girls, should appear as their
cavalier?
BERTHA. What sort of relations?
CARL. Chance, such as one has with such women!
BERTHA. Such women? That’s a lie!
CARL. I’m not in the habit of lying.
DR. OeSTERMARK. But I don’t
understand what I have got to do with these
young ladies.
BERTHA. You would prefer to
have nothing to do with your deserted children.
DR. OeSTERMARK. My children! But I don’t
understand.
BERTHA. They are your two daughters-daughters
of your divorced wife.
DR. OeSTERMARK. Since you consider
that you have the right to be personal and make my
affairs the subject of public discussion, I will answer
you publicly. You seem to have taken the trouble
to find out that I am not a widower. Good!
My marriage, which was childless, was dissolved twenty
years ago. Since then I have entered into another
relation, and we have a child that is just five years
old. These grown girls, therefore, cannot be
my children. Now you know the whole matter.
BERTHA. But your wife-whom you threw
out upon the world-
DR. OeSTERMARK.-No, that
wasn’t the case either. She walked out,
or staggered, if you prefer it, and then she received
half my income until at last I found out that-enough
said. If you could conceive what it cost me of
work and self-denial to support two establishments,
you would have spared me this unpleasant moment, but
your kind wouldn’t consider anything like that.
You needn’t know any more, as it really doesn’t
concern you.
BERTHA. But it would amuse me to know why your
first wife left you.
DR. OeSTERMARK. I don’t
think it would amuse you to know that she was ugly,
narrow, paltry, and that I was too good for her!
Think now, you tender-hearted, sensitive Bertha, think
if they really had been my daughters, these friends
of yours and Carl’s; imagine how my old heart
would have been gladdened to see, after eighteen years,
these children that I had borne in my arms during
the long night of illness. And imagine if she,
my first love, my wife, with whom life the first time
became life, had accepted your invitation and come
here? What a fifth act in the melodrama you wished
to offer us, what a noble revenge on one who is guiltless!
Thanks, old friend. Thank you for your reward
for the friendship I have shown you.
BERTHA. Reward! Yes, I know
that I owe you-a fee. [Axel, Carl and the
doctor make protestations of “Oh,” “Now,”
“Really,” et cetera.] I know that,
I know it very well.
[Axel, Carl and doctor say “No,”
“Fie,” “This is going too far.”]
DR. OeSTERMARK. No, but I’m
going to get out of here. Horrors! Yes, you
are the right sort! Pardon me, Axel, but I can’t
help it!
BERTHA [To Axel]. You’re
a fine man, to allow your wife to be insulted!
AXEL. I can understand neither
your allowing yourself to insult, or to be insulted!
[Music is heard from the orchard; guitar and an Italian
song.] The singers have arrived; perhaps you would
all like to step out and have a bit of harmony on
top of all this.
[They all go out except the doctor,
who goes over to look at some drawings on wall right
near door to Axel’s room. The music outside
is played softly. Mrs. Hall comes in and walks
unsteadily across the scene and sits in a chair.
The doctor, who does not recognize her, bows deeply.]
MRS. HALL. What music is that out there?
DR. OeSTERMARK. They are some Italians, dear
lady.
MRS. HALL. Yes? No doubt the ones I heard
at Monte Carlo.
DR. OeSTERMARK. Oh, perhaps there are other Italians.
MRS. HALL. Well, I believe it’s
none other than Oestermark! No one could be as
quick as he in his retorts.
DR. OeSTERMARK [Stares at her].
Ah-think-there are things-that-are
less dreadful than dread! It is you, Carolina!
And this is the moment that for eighteen years I have
been running away from, dreamed about, sought, feared,
wished for; wished for that I might receive the shock
and afterward have nothing to dread! [He takes out
a vial and wets his upper lip with a few drops.] Don’t
be afraid; it’s not poison, in such little doses.
It’s for the heart, you see.
MRS. HALL. Ugh, your heart! Yes, you have
so much!
DR. OeSTERMARK. It’s strange
that two people cannot meet once every eighteen years
without quarreling.
MRS. HALL. It was always you who quarreled!
DR. OeSTERMARK. Alone? What!-Shall
we stop now?-I must try to look at you.
[He takes a chair and sits down opposite Mrs. Hall.]
Without trembling!
MRS. HALL. I’ve become old!
DR. OeSTERMARK. That’s
what happens; one has read about it, seen it, felt
it one’s self, but nevertheless it is horrifying.
I am old, too.
MRS. HALL. Are you happy in your new life?
DR. OeSTERMARK. To tell the truth,
it’s one and the same thing; different, but
quite the same.
MRS. HALL. Perhaps the old life was better, then?
DR. OeSTERMARK. No, it wasn’t
better, as it was about the same, but it’s a
question if it wouldn’t have seemed better now,
just because it was the old life. One doesn’t
blossom but once, and then one goes to seed; what
comes afterward is only a little aftermath. And
you, how are you getting along?
MRS. HALL [Offended]. What do you mean?
DR. OeSTERMARK. Don’t misunderstand
me. Are you contented with-your-lot?
I mean-oh, that it should be so difficult
to make one’s self understood by women!
MRS. HALL. Contented? H’m!
DR. OeSTERMARK. Well, you were
never contented. But when one is young, one always
demands the first class, and then one gets the third
class when one is old. Now, I understand that
you told Mrs. Alberg here that your girls are my children!
MRS. HALL. I did? That is a lie.
DR. OeSTERMARK. Still untruthful,
eh? In the old days, when I was foolish, I looked
upon lying as a vice; but now I know it to be a natural
defect. You actually believe in your lies, and
that is dangerous. But never mind about that
now. Are you leaving, or do you wish me to leave?
MRS. HALL [Rising]. I will go.
[She falls back into the chair and gropes about.]
DR. OeSTERMARK. What, drunk too?-I
really pity you. Oh, this is most unpleasant!
Dear me, I believe I’m ready to cry!-Carolina!
No, I can’t bear this!
MRS. HALL. I am ill.
DR. OeSTERMARK. Yes, that’s
what happens when one drinks too much. But this
is more bitter than I ever thought it could be.
I have killed little unborn children to be able to
save the mother, and I have felt them tremble in their
fight against death. I have cut living muscles,
and have seen the marrow flow like butter from healthy
bones, but never has anything hurt me so much as this
since the day you left me. Then it was as if
you had gone away with one of my lungs, so I could
only gasp with the other!-Oh, I feel as
if I were suffocating now!
MRS. HALL. Help me out of here.
It’s too noisy. I don’t know why we
came here, anyway. Give me your hand.
DR. OeSTERMARK [Leading her to door].
Before it was I who asked for your hand; and it rested
so heavily on me, the little delicate hand! Once
it struck my face, the little delicate hand, but I
kissed it nevertheless.-Oh, now it is withered,
and will never strike again.-Ah, dolce
Napoli! Joy of life, what became of it? You
who were the bride of my youth!
MRS. HALL [In the hall door]. Where is my wrap?
DR. OeSTERMARK [Closing door].
In the hall, probably. This is horrible! [Lights
a cigar]. Oh, dolce Napoli! I wonder if it
is as delightful as it’s said to be in that
cholera breeding fishing harbor. Blague, no
doubt! Blague! Blague! Naples-bridal
couples, love, joy of life, antiquities, modernity,
liberalism, conservatism, idealism, realism, naturalism,-blague,
blague, the whole thing!
[Axel, Abel, Willmer, Mrs. Starck
and Bertha come in from orchard.]
MRS. STARCK. What is happening to the doctor?
DR. OeSTERMARK. Pardon, it was
only a little qui pro quo. Two strangers
sneaked in here and we had to identify them.
MRS. STARCK. The girls?
CARL. Well, that has nothing
to do with you. I don’t know why, but I
seem to feel “the enemy in the air.”
MRS. STARCK. Ah, you’re
always seeing the enemy, you dear Carl.
CARL. No, I don’t see them, but I feel
them.
MRS. STARCK. Well, come to your friend, then,
and she will defend you.
CARL. Oh, you’re always so good to me.
MRS. STARCK. Why shouldn’t I be, when you
are so good to me?
[The door at back is opened and the
maid and two men come in carrying a picture.]
AXEL. What’s this?
MAID. The porter said that it
must be carried into the studio, as he didn’t
have any room for it.
AXEL. What foolishness is this? Take it
out.
MAID. The mistress sent for the picture herself.
BERTHA. That’s not true.
For that matter, it’s not my picture, anyway.
It’s your master’s. Put it down there.
[The maid and the man go out.] Perhaps it isn’t
yours, Axel? let’s see. [Axel places himself
in front of picture.] Move a little so we can see.
AXEL [Gives way]. It’s a mistake.
BERTHA [Shrieks]. What! What is this!
It’s a mistake! What does it mean?
It’s my picture, but it’s Axel’s
number! Oh!
[She falls in a faint. The doctor
and Carl carry her into her room left, the women follow.]
ABEL. She is dying!
MRS. STARCK. Heaven help us,
what is this! The poor little dear! Doctor
Oestermark, do something, say something-and
Axel stands there crestfallen.
[Axel and Willmer are alone.]
AXEL. This is your doing.
WILLMER. My doing?
[Axel takes him by the ear.]
AXEL. Yes, yours, but not altogether.
But I am going to give you your share. [He leads hunt
to the door, which he opens with one foot, and kicks
out Willmer with the other.] Out with you!
WILLMER. I’ll get even for this!
AXEL. I shall be waiting for it!
[Doctor and Carl come in.]
DR. OeSTERMARK. What’s the trouble with
the picture, anyway?
AXEL. Nothing-only that it seemed
to represent sulphuric acid.
CARL. Now tell us, are you refused, or is she?
AXEL. I am refused on her picture.
I wanted to help her a bit, as a good comrade, and
that’s why I changed the numbers.
DR. OeSTERMARK. Yes, but there
is something else too. She says that you don’t
love her any more.
AXEL. She is right in that. That’s
how it is, and tomorrow we part.
DR. OeSTERMARK and CARL. Part?
AXEL. Yes, when there are no
ties to bind things, they loosen of themselves.
This wasn’t a marriage; it was only living together,
or something even worse.
DR. OeSTERMARK. There is bad air here. Come,
let’s go.
AXEL. Yes, I want to get out-out of
here. [They start for the door.
Abel comes in.]
ABEL. What, are you leaving?
AXEL. Does that astonish you?
ABEL. Let me have a word with you.
AXEL. Go on.
ABEL. Don’t you want to go in and see Bertha?
AXEL. No!
ABEL. What have you done to her?
AXEL. I have bent her.
ABEL. I noticed that-she
is black and blue around the wrists! Look at
me! I didn’t think that of you. Well,
conqueror, triumph now!
AXEL. It’s an uncertain conquest, and I
don’t even wish for it.
ABEL. Are you sure of that? [She leans over to
Axel, in low voice.]
Bertha loves you now-now that you have
bent her.
AXEL. I know it. But I don’t love
her any longer.
ABEL. Won’t you go in and see her?
AXEL. No, it’s all over. [Takes doctor’s
arm.] Come!
ABEL. May I take a message to Bertha?
AXEL. No! Yes! Tell her, that I despise
and abhor her.
ABEL. Good-bye, my friend.
AXEL. Good-bye, my enemy.
ABEL. Enemy?
AXEL. Are you my friend?
ABEL. I don’t know. Both and neither.
I am a bastard-
AXEL. We are all that, as we
are crocheted out of man and woman! Perhaps you
have loved me in your way, as you wanted to separate
Bertha and me.
ABEL [Rolling a cigarette]. Loved!
I wonder how it seems to love? No, I cannot love;
I must be deformed-for it made me happy
to see you two until the envy of deformity set me
on fire. Perhaps you love me?
AXEL. No, on my honor! You
have been an agreeable comrade who happened to be
dressed like a woman; you have never impressed me as
belonging to another sex; and love, you see, can and
should exist only between individuals of opposite
sexes-
ABEL. Sex love, yes!
AXEL. Is there any other, then?
ABEL. I don’t know!
But I am to be pitied. And this hate, this terrible
hate! Perhaps that would disappear if you men
were not so afraid to love us, if you were not so-how
shall I express it-so moral, as it’s
called.
AXEL. But in heaven’s name,
be a little more lovable, then, and don’t get
yourselves up so that one is forced to think of the
penal law whenever one looks at you.
ABEL. Do you think I’m such a fright, then?
AXEL. Well, you know, you must
pardon me, but you are awful. [Bertha comes in.]
BERTHA [To Axel]. Are you going?
AXEL. Yes, I was just about to go, but now I’ll
stay.
BERTHA [Softly]. What? You-
AXEL. I shall stay in my home.
BERTHA. In our-home.
AXEL. No, in mine. In my studio with
my furniture.
BERTHA. And I?
AXEL. You may do what you please,
but you must know what you risk. You see in my
suit I have applied for one year’s separation
in bed and board. Should you stay, that is to
say, if you should seek me during this time, you would
have to choose between imprisonment, or being considered
my mistress. Do you feel like staying?
BERTHA. Oh, is that the law?
AXEL. That’s the law.
BERTHA. You drive me out, then?
AXEL. No, but the law does.
BERTHA. And you think I’ll be satisfied
with that?
AXEL. No, I don’t, for
you won’t be satisfied until you have taken all
the life out of me.
BERTHA. Axel! How you talk! If you
knew how I-love you!
AXEL. That doesn’t sound irrational, but
I don’t love you.
BERTHA [Flaring up and pointing to Abel]. Because
you love her!
AXEL. No, indeed, I don’t.
Have never loved her, and never will. What incredible
imagining! As if there were not other women and
more fascinating than you two!
BERTHA. But Abel loves you!
AXEL. That is possible.
I even believe that she suggested something of the
kind. Yes, she said so distinctly; let’s
see, how was it-
BERTHA [Changing]. You are really
the most shameless creature I have ever met!
AXEL. Yes, I can well believe that.
BERTHA [Puts on her hat and wrap].
Now you expect to put me out on the street? That
is final?
AXEL. On the street, or where you please.
BERTHA [Angry]. Do you think
a woman will allow herself to be treated like this?
AXEL. Once you asked me to forget
that you were a woman. Very well, I have forgotten
it.
BERTHA. But do you know that
you have liabilities to the one who has been your
wife?
AXEL. You mean the pay for good
comradeship? What? A life annuity!
BERTHA. Yes.
AXEL [Putting a few bills on the table]. Here
is a month in advance.
BERTHA [Takes money and counts it]. You still
have a little honor left!
ABEL. Good-bye, Bertha. Now I am off.
BERTHA. Wait and you can go along with me.
ABEL. No, I won’t go any further with you.
BERTHA. What? Why not?
ABEL. I am ashamed to.
BERTHA [Astonished]. Ashamed?
ABEL. Yes, ashamed. Good-bye. [Abel goes
out.]
BERTHA. I don’t understand.
Good-bye, Axel! Thanks for the money. Are
we friends? [Taking his hand.]
AXEL. I am not, at least.-Let
go of my hand, or I will believe that you wish to
seduce me again. [Bertha goes toward door.]
AXEL [With a sigh of relief]. Pleasant comrades!
Oh!
[The maid enters from the orchard.]
MAID [To Axel]. There is it lady waiting for
you.
AXEL. I’ll soon be free.
BERTHA. Is that the new comrade?
AXEL. No, not comrade, but sweetheart.
BERTHA. And your wife to be?
AXEL, Perhaps. Because I want
to meet, my comrades at the cafe, but at home I want
a wife. [Starts as if to go.] Pardon me!
BERTHA. Farewell, then! Are we never to
meet again?
AXEL. Yes, of course! But at the cafe.
Good-bye!
CURTAIN.