Were things really so bad as all that? MRS. RUMMEL. They were as bad as bad could be, Mrs. Lynge. You may thank your stars that you didn’t live here then. MRS. HOLT. Yes, there has certainly been a great change! When I think of the time when I was a girl—— MRS. RUMMEL. Oh, you needn’t go back more than fourteen or fifteen years—heaven help us, what a life people led! There was a dancing club and a music club—— MARTHA. And the dramatic club—I remember it quite well. MRS. RUMMEL. Yes; it was there your play was acted, Mr. Tönnesen. HILMAR. [_At the back._] Oh, nonsense——! RÖRLUND. Mr. Tönnesen’s play? MRS. RUMMEL. Yes; that was long before you came here, Doctor. Besides, it only ran one night. MRS. LYNGE. Wasn’t it in that play you told me you played the heroine, Mrs. Rummel? MRS. RUMMEL. [_Glancing at_ RÖRLUND.] I? I really don’t remember, Mrs. Lynge. But I remember too well all the noisy gaiety that went on among families. MRS. HOLT. Yes; I actually know houses where two great dinner-parties were given in one week. MRS. LYNGE. And then there was a company of strolling actors, they tell me. MRS. RUMMEL. Yes, that was the worst of all——! MRS. HOLT. [_Uneasily._] H’m, h’m—— MRS. RUMMEL. Oh, actors did you say? No, I remember nothing about them. MRS. LYNGE. Why, I was told they caused all sorts of trouble. What was it that really happened? MRS. RUMMEL. Oh, nothing at all, Mrs. Lynge. MRS. HOLT. Dina, dear, hand me that piece of linen, please. MRS. BERNICK. [_At the same time._] Dina, my love, will you go and ask Katrina to bring in the coffee. MARTHA. I will go with you, Dina. [DINA _and_ MARTHA _go out by the second door on the left._ MRS. BERNICK. [_Rising._] And you must excuse me for a moment, ladies; I think we had better take our coffee outside. [_She goes out to the verandah and begins arranging a table;_ RÖRLUND _stands in the doorway talking to her._ HILMAR _sits outside smoking._ MRS. RUMMEL. [_Softly._] Oh dear, Mrs. Lynge, how you frightened me! MRS. LYNGE. I? MRS. HOLT. Ah, but you began it yourself, Mrs. Rummel. MRS. RUMMEL. I? Oh, how can you say so, Mrs. Holt? Not a single word passed my lips.