AXEL. I am going out.
BERTHA. Aren't you going to stay for the meeting?
AXEL. No, I am not!
BERTHA. Yes, but they will think that very discourteous.
AXEL. Let them. I have more important things to do than listening to the drivel of you women.
BERTHA [Worried]. Where are you going?
AXEL. I don't need to account for myself, as I don't ask you to account for your actions.
BERTHA. You won't forget that we have invited guests for the masquerade tomorrow evening?
AXEL. Guests? That's true, tomorrow evening. H'm!
BERTHA. It won't do to postpone it when both Östermark and Carl have arrived today, and I have asked them to come.