WIFE. I can't remember anything of the kind.
THURE. Of course you can't!
WIFE. But I do remember the fifteenth of March, when we had to leave our place for his sake, and we hadn't been married more than two years, and I had to carry away the child on my own arm—Oh!—and then, when the steamer came with all the passengers on board just as we had to get out—all the cocked hats in the world can't make me forget that! And, for that matter, what do you think a royal chamberlain cares about a plain gardener and his wife when they've just been turned out of house and home?
THURE. Look here! What do you think this is? Look at all his decorations!—Look at this one, will you!
He takes an order out of its case, holds it in the palm of his hand, and pats it as if it were a living thing.
WIFE. Oh, that silly stuff!
THURE. Don't you say anything against them, for you never can tell where you'll end. The gardener at Staring was made a director and a knight on the same day.
WIFE. Well, what does that help us?
THURE. No, of course not—it doesn't help us—but these things here [pointing to the orders] may help us a whole lot in getting another place.—However, I think we've waited quite a while now, so we'd better sit down and make ourselves at home. Let me help you off with your coat—come on now!
WIFE. [After a slight resistance] So you think we're going to be welcome, then? I have a feeling that our stay here won't last very long.