AXEL. Why must you go so soon?
THURE. We have to take the child to a doctor.
AXEL. For the Lord's sake, have you a child, too?
WIFE. Yes, we have. And a sick child, which lost its health when we had to move out into the kitchen so that the auction could be held.
AXEL. And all this for my sake! It's enough to drive me crazy! For my sake! So that I might become a famous man!—And what is there I can do for you?—Do you think it would have been better if I had stayed at home?—No, worse—for then I should have been nothing but a poor teacher, who certainly could not have been of any use to you whatever.—Listen, now! You go to the doctor, but come back here after a while. In the meantime I'll think out something.
THURE. [To his WIFE] Do you see now, that he wants to help us?
WIFE. Yes, but can he do it? That's the question.
THURE. He can do anything he wants.
AXEL. Don't rely too much on it—or the last state may prove worse than the first.—Oh, merciful heavens, to think that you have a sick child, too! And for my sake!
THURE. Oh, I guess it isn't quite as bad as it sounds.