ot go out, on any account.

Laura. Then I won't go, either.

Father. That will be just as well; it is such raw weather. (To the
MOTHER.) But you have no shawl on, my love; where is your shawl?

Laura. Axel, fetch mother's shawl; it is hanging in the lobby. (AXEL
goes out into the lobby.)

Mother. We are not really into spring yet. I am surprised the stove is
not lit in here.

Laura (to AXEL, who is arranging the shawl over the MOTHER'S shoulders).
Axel, ring the bell and let us have a fire. (He does so, and gives the
necessary instructions to the Servant.)

Mother. If none of us are going to the ball, we ought to send them a
note. Perhaps you would see to that, Axel?

Axel. Certainly--but will it do for us to stay away from this ball?

Laura. Surely you heard father say that mother has been coughing in the
night.

Axel. Yes, I heard; but the ball is being given by the only friend I
have in these parts, in your honour and mine. We are the reason of the
whole entertainment--surely we cannot stay away from it?

Laura. But it wouldn't be any pleasure to us to go without mother.

Axel. One 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 bein