Mother. You dress as if it were summer—and it certainly isn't that.
Father. The fire will burn up directly. (Clears his throat again.) No, not quite the thing at all.
Laura. Axel! (He goes up to her.) You might read the paper to us till breakfast is ready.
Axel. Certainly. But first of all I want to know if we really are not to go to the ball?
Laura. You can go, if you like, and take our excuses.
Mother. That wouldn't do. Remember you are married now.
Axel. That is exactly why it seems to me that Laura cannot stay at home. The fact that she is my wife ought to have most weight with her now; and this ball is being given for us two, who have nothing the matter with us, besides being mainly a dance for young people—
Mother. And not for old folk.
Laura. Thank you; mother has taken to dancing again since I have grown up. I have never been to a ball without mother's leading off the dances.
Mother. Axel apparently thinks it would have been much better if I had not done so.