Plays: Comrades; Facing Death; Pariah; Easter | Page 4

a door leading to Axel's room; to left a door leading to Bertha's room. There is a model stand left center. To right an easel and painting materials. A large sofa, a large store through the doors of which one sees a hot coal fire. There is a hanging-lamp from ceiling. At rise of curtain Axel and Doctor ?stermark are discovered.]
AXEL [Sitting, painting]. And you, too, are in Paris!
DR. ?STERMARK. Everything gathers here as the center of the world; and so you are married--and happy?
AXEL. Oh, yes, so, so. Yes, I'm quite happy. That's understood.
DR. ?STERMARK. What's understood?
AXEL. Look here, you're a widower. How was it with your marriage?
DR. ?STERMARK. Oh, very nice--for her.
AXEL. And for you?
DR. ?STERMARK. So, so! But you see one must compromise, and we compromised to the end.
AXEL. What do you mean by compromise?
DR. ?STERMARK. I mean--that I gave in!
AXEL. You?
DR. ?STERMARK. Yes, you wouldn't think that of a man like me, would you?
AXEL. No, I would never have thought that. Look here, don't you believe in woman, eh?
DR. ?STERMARK. No, sir! I do not. But I love her.
AXEL. In your way--yes!
DR. ?STERMARK. In my way--yes. How about your way?
AXEL. We have arranged a sort of comradeship, you see, and friendship is higher and more enduring than love.
DR. ?STERMARK. H'm--so Bertha paints too. How? Well?
AXEL. Fairly well.
DR. ?STERMARK. We were good friends in the old days, she and I,-- that is, we always quarreled a little.--Some visitors. Hush! It is Carl and his wife!
AXEL [Rising]. And Bertha isn't at home! Sacristi! [Enter Lieutenant Carl Starck and his wife.] Welcome! Well, well, we certainly meet here from all corners of the world! How do you do, Mrs. Starck? You're looking well after your journey.
MRS. STARCK. Thanks, dear Axel, we have certainly had a delightful trip. But where is Bertha?
CARL. Yes, where is the young wife?
AXEL. She's out at the studio, but she'll be home at any moment now. But won't you sit down?
[The doctor greets the visitors.]
CARL. Hardly. We were passing by and thought we would just look in to see how you are. But we shall be on hand, of course, for your invitation for Saturday, the first of May.
AXEL. That's good. You got the card then?
MRS. STARCK. Yes, we received it while we were in Hamburg. Well, what is Bertha doing nowadays?
AXEL. Oh, she paints, as I do. In fact, we're expecting her model, and as he may come at any moment, perhaps I can't risk you to sit down after all, if I'm going to be honest.
CARL. Do you think we would blush, then?
MRS. STARCK. He isn't nude, is he?
AXEL. Of course.
CARL. A man? The devil!--No, I couldn't allow my wife to be mixed up with anything of that sort. Alone with a naked man!
AXEL. I see you still have prejudices, Carl.
CARL. Yes, you know--
MRS. STARCK. Fie!
DR. ?STERMARK. Yes, that's what I say, too.
AXEL. I can't deny that it, is not altogether to my taste, but as long as I must have a woman model--
MRS. STARCK. That's another matter.
AXEL. Another?
MRS. STARCK. Yes, it is another matter--although it resembles the other, it is not the same. [There is a knock.]
AXEL. There he is!
MRS. STARCK. We'll go, then. Good-bye and au revoir. Give my love to Bertha.
AXEL. Good-bye, then, as you're so scared. And au revoir.
CARL and DR. ?STERMARK. Good-bye, Axel.
CARL [To Axel]. You stay in here, at least, while--
AXEL. No, why should I?
CARL [Goes shaking his head]. Ugh!
[Axel alone starts to paint. There is a knock.]
AXEL. Come in. [The model enters.] So, you are back again. Madame hasn't returned yet.
THE MODEL. But it's almost twelve, and I must keep another appointment.
AXEL. Is that so? It's too bad, but--h'm--something must have detained her at the studio. How much do I owe you?
THE MODEL. Five francs, as usual.
AXEL [Paying him]. There. Perhaps you'd better wait awhile, nevertheless.
THE MODEL. Yes, if I'm needed.
AXEL. Yes, be kind enough to wait a few minutes.
[The model retires behind a screen. Axel alone, draws and whistles. Bertha comes in after a moment.]
AXEL. Hello, my dear! So you're back at last?
BERTHA. At last?
AXEL. Yes, your model is waiting.
BERTHA [Startled]. No! No! Has he been here again?
AXEL. You had engaged him for eleven o'clock.
BERTHA. I? No! Did he say that?
AXEL. Yes. But I heard you when you made the engagement yesterday.
BERTHA. Perhaps it's so, then, but anyway the professor wouldn't let us leave and you know how nervous one gets in the last hours. You're not angry with me, Axel?
AXEL. Angry? No. But this is the second time, and he gets his five francs for nothing, nevertheless.
BERTHA. Can I help it if the professor keeps us? Why must you always pick on me?
AXEL. Do I pick on you?
BERTHA. What's that? Didn't you--
AXEL. Yes, yes, yes! I picked on you--forgive me--forgive me--for thinking that it