Three Comedies | Page 6

often has to do what is not any pleasure.
Laura. When it is a matter of duty, certainly. But our first duty is to
mother, and we cannot possibly leave her alone at home when she is ill.
Axel. I had no idea she was ill.
Father (as he reads). She coughed twice in the night. She coughed only
a moment ago.
Mother. Axel means that a cough or two isn't illness, and he is quite
right.
Father (still reading). A cough may be a sign of something very serious.
(Clears his throat.) The chest--or the lungs. (Clears his throat again.) I
don't think I feel quite the thing myself, either.
Laura. Daddy dear, you are too lightly clothed.
Mother. You dress as if it were summer--and it certainly isn't that.

Father. The fire will burn up directly. (Clears his throat again.) No, not
quite the thing at all.
Laura. Axel! (He goes up to her.) You might read the paper to us till
breakfast is ready.
Axel. Certainly. But first of all I want to know if we really are not to go
to the ball?
Laura. You can go, if you like, and take our excuses.
Mother. That wouldn't do. Remember you are married now.
Axel. That is exactly why it seems to me that Laura cannot stay at
home. The fact that she is my wife ought to have most weight with her
now; and this ball is being given for us two, who have nothing the
matter with us, besides being mainly a dance for young people--
Mother. And not for old folk.
Laura. Thank you; mother has taken to dancing again since I have
grown up. I have never been to a ball without mother's leading off the
dances.
Mother. Axel apparently thinks it would have been much better if I had
not done so.
Father (as he reads). Mother dances most elegantly.
Axel. Surely I should know that, seeing how often I have had the
honour of leading off with mother. But on this occasion forty or fifty
people have been invited, a lot of trouble and expense incurred and a
lot of pleasure arranged, solely for our sakes. It would be simply
wicked to disappoint them.
Father (still reading). We can give a ball for them, in return.
Mother. All the more as we owe heaps of people an invitation.

Laura. Yes, that will be better; we have more room here, too. (A
pause.)
Axel (leaning over LAURA'S chair). Think of your new ball dress-- my
first present to you. Won't that tempt you? Blue muslin, with silver
stars all over it? Shall they not shine for the first time to-night?
Laura (smiling). No, there would be no shine in the stars if mother were
not at the dance.
Axel. Very well--I will send our excuses. (Turns to go out.)
Father (still reading). Perhaps it will be better for me to write. (AXEL
stops.)
Mother. Yes, you will do it best.
[MATHILDE comes in, followed by a Servant, who throws the doors
open.]
Mathilde. Breakfast is ready.
Father (taking his wife's arm). Keep your shawl on, my dear; it is cold
in the hall. (They go out.)
Axel (as he offers LAURA his arm and leads her towards the door). Let
me have a word with you, before we follow them!
Laura. But it is breakfast time.
Axel (to MATHILDE, who is standing behind them waiting). Do you
mind going on? (MATHILDE goes out, followed by the Servant.
AXEL turns to LAURA.) Will nothing move you? Go with me to this
dance!
Laura. I thought that was what you were going to say.
Axel. For my sake!

Laura. But you saw for yourself that mother and father do not wish it?
Axel. I wish it.
Laura. When mother and father do not?
Axel. Then I suppose you are their daughter in the first place, and my
wife only in the second?
Laura (with a laugh). Well, that is only natural.
Axel. No, it is not natural; because two days ago you promised to
forsake your father and your mother and follow me.
Laura (laughing). To the ball? I certainly never promised that.
Axel. Wherever I wish.
Laura. But you mustn't wish that, Axel darling--because it is quite
impossible.
Axel. It is quite possible, if you like to do it.
Laura. Yes, but I don't like.
Axel. That same day you also heard that a man is his wife's lord and
master. You must be willing to leave them, if I wish it; it was on those
terms that you gave me your hand, you obstinate little woman.
Laura. It was just so as to be able to be always with father and mother,
that I did it.
Axel. So that was it. Then you have no