The family of S A Hedlund, owner of Handelstidningen and Rydberg's best friend, manager and boss. The year is 1878. The patriarch is sitting in the middle with his wife Stina (to whom Rydberg was deeply attached) to the right. Rydberg has been living in their house for 16 years. Now he is detachedly reading while his fiancee Susen Hasselblad leans against his shoulder; they are going to marry next year.