Laura. Very. (Passes in front of AXEL.) Good morning, Axel! (Sits
down at the table, opposite her mother.)

Axel. Good morning.

Mother. I am very sorry to say, my child, that I must give up
going to the ball with you to-night. It is such a long way to go,
in this cold spring weather.

Father (without looking up from his paper). Your mother is not
well. She was coughing in the night.

Laura. Coughing again?

Father. Twice. (The MOTHER coughs, and he looks up.) There, do
you hear that? Your mother must not go out, on any account.

Laura. Then I won't go, either.

Father. That will be just as well; it is such raw weather. (To
the MOTHER.) But you have no shawl on, my love; where is your
shawl?

Laura. Axel, fetch mother's shawl; it is hanging in the lobby.
(AXEL goes out into the lobby.)

Mother. We are not really into spring yet. I am surprised the
stove is not lit in here.