Mrs.Lynge: And surely I have heard that a touring theatrical company
came here, too?

Mrs.Rummel: Yes, that was the worst thing of the lot.

Mrs.Holt (uneasily): Ahem!

Mrs.Rummel: Did you say a theatrical company? No, I don't remember that
at all.

Mrs.Lynge: Oh yes, and I have been told they played all sorts of mad
pranks. What is really the truth of those stories?

Mrs.Rummel: There is practically no truth in them, Mrs. Lynge.

Mrs.Holt: Dina, my love, will you give me that linen?

Mrs.Bernick (at the same time): Dina, dear, will you go and ask Katrine
to bring us our coffee?

Martha: I will go with you, Dina.
(DINA and MARTHA go out by the farther door on, the left.)

Mrs. Bernick (getting up): Will you excuse me for a few minutes?
I think we will have our coffee outside. (She goes out to the
verandah and sets to work to lay a table. RORLUND stands in the
doorway talking to her. HILMAR sits outside, smoking.)

Mrs. Rummel (in a low voice): My goodness, Mrs. Lynge, how you