ABEL [To Bertha]. You were at the luncheon today? Was it interesting?
BERTHA. Oh, yes.
WILLMER. When are you going to review my book, Abel?
ABEL. I'm just working on it.
WILLMER. Are you going to be nice to me?
ABEL. Very nice.—Well, Bertha, how and when will you deliver the letter?
BERTHA [Walking about]. That is just, what I am thinking about. If he hasn't met Madame Roubey, and if he hasn't carried out our plan, he will hardly do it after receiving this blow.
ABEL [Rising]. I don't think Axel is so base as to revenge himself on you.
BERTHA. Base? Such talk! Didn't he go just now when I wanted him to, because I am his wife? Do you think he would ever have gone for any one else?
ABEL. Would you like it if he had done it for some one else?