The MOTHER.
LAURA, their daughter.
AXEL, her husband.
MATHILDE, her friend.


THE NEWLY-MARRIED COUPLE


ACT I

(SCENE.--A handsomely furnished, carpeted room, with a door at
the back leading to a lobby. The FATHER is sitting on a couch on
the left-hand side, in the foreground, reading a newspaper. Other
papers are lying on a small table in front of him. AXEL is on
another couch drawn up in a similar position on the right-hand
side. A newspaper, which he is not reading, is lying on his knee.
The MOTHER is sitting, sewing, in an easy-chair drawn up beside a
table in the middle of the room.)

[LAURA enters.]

Laura. Good morning, mother! (Kisses her.)

Mother. Good morning, dear. Have you slept well?

Laura. Very well, thanks. Good morning, dad! (Kisses him.)

Father. Good morning, little one, good morning. Happy and in
good spirits?