AXEL. No!
[Bertha goes out; Axel rises, takes off his cutaway to change it for working coat.]
ACT II.
[Same scene as Act I, but there is a large table with chairs around it in middle of scene. On table there is writing material and a speaker's gavel. Axel is painting. Abel is sitting near him. She is smoking.]
AXEL. They have finished dinner and are having their coffee now. Did they drink much?
ABEL. Oh, yes, and Bertha bragged and was disagreeable.
AXEL. Tell me one thing, Abel, are you my friend, or not?
ABEL. H'm—I don't know.
AXEL. Can I trust you?
ABEL. No—you can't.