BERTHA. What have you got to tell me?
AXEL. A whole lot of things; but I shall begin with the ending. We must dissolve this concubinage.
BERTHA. What? [Throwing herself on the couch.] Oh, my God, what am I not made to live through!
AXEL. No hysteria, or I will empty the water bottle on your laces!
BERTHA. This is your revenge because I defeated you in an open competition!
AXEL. That has no connection with this matter.
BERTHA. You have never loved me!
AXEL. Yes, I have loved you; that was my only motive for marrying you. But why did you marry me? Because you were hard up, and because you had green sickness!
BERTHA. It's fortunate that no one can hear us.
AXEL. It would be no misfortune if any one did hear us. I've treated you like a comrade, with unlimited trust, and I've even made small sacrifices that you know about.—Has the locksmith been here yet?