(SCENE.—DOCTOR WANGEL'S garden-room. Doors right and left. In the background, between the windows, an open glass door leading out on to the verandah. Below this, a portion of the garden is visible. A sofa and table down left. To the right a piano, and farther back a large flower-stand. In the middle of the room a round table, with chairs. On the table is a rose-tree in bloom, and other plants around it. Morning.
In the room, by the table, BOLETTE is sitting on the sofa, busy with some embroidery. LYNGSTRAND is seated on a chair at the upper end of the table. In the garden below BALLESTED sits painting. HILDE stands by watching him.)
Lyngstrand (with his arms on the table, sits silent awhile, looking at BOLETTE'S work). It must be awfully difficult to do a border like that, Miss Wangel?
Bolette. Oh, no! It's not very difficult, if only you take care to count right.
Lyngstrand. To count? Must you count, too?
Bolette. Yes, the stitches. See!
Lyngstrand. So you do! Just fancy! Why, it's almost a kind of art. Can you design, too?
Bolette. Oh, yes! When I've a copy.
Lyngstrand. Not unless?
Bolette. No.