BERTHA. Absolutely!
AXEL. H'm—indeed!
BERTHA. We have certainly argued that matter out.
AXEL. Quite true. But it's loathsome nevertheless—[Goes out right.]
BERTHA [Takes up brushes and palette. Calls to model]. Are you ready?
THE MODEL. All ready.
BERTHA. Come on, then. [Pause.] Come on. [There is a knock.] Who is it? I have a model.
WILLMER [Outside]. Willmer. With news from the salon.
BERTHA. From the salon! [To model]. Dress yourself! We'll have to postpone the sitting.—Axel! Willmer is here with news from the salon.
[Axel comes in, also Willmer; the model goes out unnoticed during the following scene.]