MISS THÉRÈSE. Insufferably stupid, and our hosts are not altogether polite.
MISS AMÉLIE. The hostess is especially unpleasant. And the short-hair kind, too.
MISS THÉRÈSE. Yes, but I understand that a lieutenant is coming--
MISS AMÉLIE. Well, that's good, for these artists are a lot of free traders. Hush, here is a diplomat surely.--He looks so distinguished.
[They sit on couch. Doctor Östermark comes in from the orchard; he discovers the Misses Hall and looks at them through his pince-nez.]
DR. ÖSTERMARK. I am honored, ladies. H'm, one meets so many of one's countrywomen here. Are you artists, too? You paint, I suppose?
DR. ÖSTERMARK. Oh, but just a little, perhaps. Here in Paris all ladies paint--themselves.
DR. ÖSTERMARK. Oh, I don't mean playing at cards. But all ladies play a little.
MISS AMÉLIE. Evidently you are just from the country.
DR. ÖSTERMARK. Yes, just from the country. Can I be of any slight service to you?
MISS THÉRÈSE. Pardon, but we don't know with whom we have the honor--?
DR. ÖSTERMARK. You ladies have evidently just come from Stockholm. In this country we can talk to each other without asking for references.
MISS AMÉLIE. We haven't asked for references.
DR. ÖSTERMARK. What do you ask, then? To have your curiosity satisfied? Well, I'm an old family physician and my name is Anderson. Perhaps I may know your names now?--Character not needed.
MISS THÉRÈSE. We are the Misses Hall, if that can be of any interest to the doctor.
DR. ÖSTERMARK. Hall? H'm! I've surely heard that name before. Pardon, pardon me a question, a somewhat countrified question--
DR. ÖSTERMARK. Is your father still living?
DR. ÖSTERMARK. Oh, yes. Well, now that I have gone so far, there is nothing to do but continue. Mr. Hall was--
MISS THÉRÈSE. Our father was a director of the Fire Insurance Company of Göteborg.
DR. ÖSTERMARK. Oh, well, then I beg your pardon. Do you find Paris to your liking?
MISS AMELIE. Very! Thérèse, do you remember what I did with my shawl? Such a cold draught here! [Rises.]
MISS THÉRÈSE. You left it in the orchard, no doubt.
DR. ÖSTERMARK [Rising]. No, don't go out. Allow me to find it for you--no--sit still--just sit still.
[Goes out into orchard. After a moment Mrs. Hall comes in from left, quite comfortable with drink; her cheeks are flaming red and her voice is uncertain.]