Master monologue (Act 5) — Plays by August Strindberg, Third Series

[_Speaks in the telephone receiver, with his back to_ Gerda] Hello!--Good evening! Is that you, mother?--Pretty well, thank you! Louise is waiting to play a game of chess with me, but she is a little tired after a lot of bother--It's all over now--everything all right--nothing serious at all.--If it's hot? Well, there has been a lot of thundering, right over our heads, but nobody has been struck. False alarm!--What did you say? Fischer?--Yes, but I think they are going to leave.--Why so? I know nothing in particular.--Oh, is that so?--Yes, it leaves at six-fifteen, by the outside route, and it gets there--let me see--at eight-twenty-five.--Did you have a good time?--[_With a little laugh_] Oh, he's impossible when he gets started! And what did Marie have to say about it?--How I have had it during the summer? Oh, well, Louise and I have kept each other company, and she has got such an even, pleasant temper.--Yes, she is very nice, indeed!--Oh, no, nothing of that kind!