DR. ÖSTERMARK. No, but I'm going to get out of here. Horrors! Yes, you are the right sort! Pardon me, Axel, but I can't help it!
BERTHA [To Axel]. You're a fine man, to allow your wife to be insulted!
AXEL. I can understand neither your allowing yourself to insult, or to be insulted! [Music is heard from the orchard; guitar and an Italian song.] The singers have arrived; perhaps you would all like to step out and have a bit of harmony on top of all this.
[They all go out except the doctor, who goes over to look at some drawings on wall right near door to Axel's room. The music outside is played softly. Mrs. Hall comes in and walks unsteadily across the scene and sits in a chair. The doctor, who does not recognize her, bows deeply.]
MRS. HALL. What music is that out there?
DR. ÖSTERMARK. They are some Italians, dear lady.
MRS. HALL. Yes? No doubt the ones I heard at Monte Carlo.
DR. ÖSTERMARK. Oh, perhaps there are other Italians.
MRS. HALL. Well, I believe it's none other than Östermark! No one could be as quick as he in his retorts.
DR. ÖSTERMARK [Stares at her]. Ah—think—there are things—that—are less dreadful than dread! It is you, Carolina! And this is the moment that for eighteen years I have been running away from, dreamed about, sought, feared, wished for; wished for that I might receive the shock and afterward have nothing to dread! [He takes out a vial and wets his upper lip with a few drops.] Don't be afraid; it's not poison, in such little doses. It's for the heart, you see.