BERTHA. Does it concern him if I sell a—
ABEL. Yes, in a way, of course it concerns him.
BERTHA. Well, then, I will explain that I didn't want to give him another disappointment after he had already had the unhappiness of seeing me accepted at the salon.
ABEL. Strictly speaking, he has nothing to do with your earnings, as you have a marriage compact, and you have every reason to be tight with him. Just to establish a precedent, buck up and stand your own ground when he returns with his lecture tonight.
BERTHA. Oh, I know how to take care of him. But—another matter. How are we to treat the Östermark case?
ABEL. Östermark,—yes, he is my great enemy. You had better let me take care of him. We have an old account that is still unsettled, he and I. Calm yourself on that score. I'll make him yield, for we have the law on our side.
BERTHA. What do you intend to do?
ABEL. Invite Mrs. Hall and her two daughters here for tomorrow night, and then we will find out how he takes it.
BERTHA. No, indeed, no scandal in my house!
ABEL. Why not? Can you deny yourself such a triumph? If it's war, one must kill one's enemies, not just wound them. And now it is war. Am I right?