am taken like that sometimes.

Mother. But what is it? Evidently you are not as happy as we hoped you
would be. Confide in us, Axel; we are your parents now, you know.

Axel. It is something I have been thinking about for a long time, but
have not had the courage to mention.

Mother. Why? Aren't we good to you?

Axel. You are much too good to me.

Father. What do you mean by that?

Axel. That everything is made far too smooth for me here; my faculties
get no exercise; I cannot satisfy my longing for activity and
conflict--nor my ambition.

Father. Dear me! What do you want, if you please?

Axel. I want to work for myself, to owe my position in life to my own
efforts--to become something.

Father. Really.--What a foolish idea! (Moves towards the door.)

Mother. But an idea we must take an interest in. He is our child's
husband now, remember. What do you want to be, my boy? Member of
Parliament?

Axel. No; but my uncle, who has about the largest legal practice in
these parts, offered long ago to hand it over to me.

Mother. But you wouldn't be able to look after it from here, would you,
Axel?

Father (at the door). A ridiculous idea!--Come back to breakfast. (Turns
to go.)

Mother. That is true, isn't it? You couldn't look after it from here?

Axel. No; but I can move into town.

All. Move into town? (A pause. The FATHER turns back from the door.)

Father. That is still more impossible, of course.

Mother. There must be something at the bottom of this. Is anything
worrying you? (Lowering her voice.) Are you in debt?

Axel. No, thanks to the kindness of you two. You have freed me from
that.

Mother. Then what is it, Axel? You have been so, strange lately--what is
it, my dear boy?

Father. Nonsensical ideas--probably his stomach is disordered. Remember
the last time I ate lobster!--Come along in and have a glass of sherry,
and you will forget all about it.

Axel. No, it isn't a thing one can forget. It is always in my
thoughts--more and more insistently. I must have work for my mind--some
outlet for my ambition. I am bored here.

Mother. Two days after your wedding!

Father. Set to work then, for heaven's sake! What is there to hinder
you? Would you like to take charge of one of my farms? Or to start some
improvements on the estate?--or anything you please! I have no doubt you
have ideas, and I will provide the money--only do not let us have any of
this fuss!

Axel. But then I shall be ind