ABEL. And it was just when you were equals that things were going to be right.
WILLMER. It seems to me that your position will be much more clearly defined and much pleasanter when you can sell your pictures and support yourself.
BERTHA. It should be! We'll see—we'll see! [The maid enters with a green letter.] A green letter for Axel! Here it is! Here it is! He is refused! Yes, but this is terrible; however, it will be a consolation to me if I should be refused.
ABEL. But if you are not refused?
BERTHA [Pause].
ABEL. You won't answer that?
BERTHA. No, I won't answer that.
ABEL. Because, if you are accepted, the equality will be destroyed, as you will be his superior.
BERTHA. Superior? A wife superior to her husband—her husband—oh!
WILLMER. It's about time an example was made.