In four or five weeks? So soon as that?

AUGUST

Yes, Mr. Flamm.

FLAMM

Then I must beg you to name the exact date. It's very difficult to make such arrangements so rapidly and....

ROSE

[_Involuntarily from the depth of her painful excitement._] An' it might well wait a bit longer'n that.

FLAMM

What do you mean, Rosie? I should say Miss Bernd. We've known, each other all our lives. But one shouldn't--be so familiar with a girl who's betrothed. However, it seems, then, that you are not in agreement....

AUGUST

[_Who has started violently at ROSE'S words, has stared at her uninterruptedly since. Now he fights down his emotion and says with unnatural calm:_] Very well then. Good-bye and good luck to you, father Bernd.

BERND

Stay right where you are, August, I tell you! [_To ROSE._] An' as for you! I'm tellin' you now that you must make up your mind one way or t'other! D'you understand? Long enough has I had patience with you, an'

August too, more than was need. We went an' took your foolishness upon ourselves. We was thinkin': Patience, patience! The Almighty will bring the la.s.s to her senses. But things gets worse an' worse with you. Three days ago you give me your sacred promise an' plighted your troth to August, an' you yourself was hard put to it to wait. An' to-day comes an'

you want to be shirkin'. What's the meanin' o' that? What do you think o'

yourself? D'you think you can dare anything because you've been a good, decent la.s.s? Because you've had self-respect an' been industrious, an' no man can say evil o' you? Is that the reason? Ah, you're not the only one o' that kind. That's no more'n our dooty! An' we're not permitted to think anything of ourselves on that account! There's others as don't go gaddin' to the dance! There's others as has taken care o' her brothers an' sisters an' kept house for an old father! They're not all slovens an'

gadabouts even though you're a pious, decent la.s.s! An' how would things ha' been if you had been different? The street would ha' been your home!

No girl like that could be a daughter o' mine! This man here, August, he has no need o' you! A man like that has but to stretch out his hand ...

an' he can have any girl he wants, even if her people are of the best. He might be havin' a very different wife from yourself! Truly, a man's patience can't bear everything! It'll snap sometime! Pride, arrogance, recklessness--that's what it is in you! Either you keep your promise, or....

FLAMM

Now, now, father Bernd! You must be gentle!

BERND

Your honour, you don't know how it's been! A girl that leads on and makes a fool of an honest man that way--she can't be no daughter o' mine!

AUGUST

[_Nearly weeping._] What have you got to reproach me with, Rose? Why are you so hard toward me? 'Tis true, I never had no confidence in my good fortune? An' why should I have? I'm made for misfortune! An' that's what I've always told you, father Bernd, in spite of it all I've taken thought an' I've worked an' G.o.d has given his blessin' so that I've not fallen by the wayside. But I can weep; these things aren't for me! That would ha'

been too much of a blessin'. I grew up in an orphan house! I never knew what it was to have a home! I had no brother an' no sister ... well, a man can still hold fast to his Saviour.--It may be I'm not much to look at, la.s.s! But I asked you an' you said yes. 'Tis the inner man that counts! G.o.d looks upon the heart ... You'll be bitter sorry some day!

[_He tries to go but BERND holds him back._

BERND

Once more! Here you stay, August!--D'you understand, Rosie! I means these words: This man here ... or ... no, I can't permit that! That man here was my friend an' support long before he asked you to be his wife. When I was down with the sickness an' couldn't earn nothin', an' no one was good to us--he shared his bit o' bread with us! [_AUGUST, unable to master his emotion any longer, takes his hat and goes out._] He was like an angel o'

the Lord to us!--August!

ROSE

I'm willin'. Can't you give me a little time?

BERND

He's given you three years! The good pastor has tried to persuade you ...

Now August is tired out! Who's to blame him for't? Everything must end somewhere! He's in the right! But now you can look after yourself an' see what becomes o' you ... I can't take no more pride in such a daughter.

[_Exit._

FLAMM Well, well, well, well! This is the d.a.m.nedest ...!

_ROSE has become alternately red and deathly pale. It is clear that she is struggling with emotions so violent that she can scarcely hold them in check. After BERND has gone out the girl seems to fall into a state of desperate numbness._

FLAMM

[_Closing the public registration book and finding courage to look at ROSE._] Rose! Wake up! What's the matter with you? Surely you're not going to worry about all that ranting? [_A fever seems to shake her and her great eyes are full of tears._] Rose! Be sensible! What's the ...?

ROSE

I know what I want--and--maybe--I'll be able to put it through! An'--if not--it don't matter--neither!

FLAMM

[_Walks up and down excitedly, stopping to listen at the door._]

Naturally. And why not? [_Apparently absorbed in the key-rack from which he takes several keys, whispers in feverish haste._] Rose! Listen! Rose, do you hear me? We must meet behind the outbuildings! I must talk it all over with you once more. Ssh! Mother's in there in the den. It's not possible here!

ROSE

[_Uttering her words with difficulty but with an iron energy._] Never an'

never, Mr. Flamm!

FLAMM

I suppose you want to drive us all mad? The devil has gotten into you!

I've been running around after you for the better part of a month, trying to say a sensible word to you and you avoid me as if I were a leper!

What's the result? Things of this kind!

ROSE

[_As before._] An' if everythin' gets ten times worse'n it is--_no_! You can all beat down on me; I don't deserve no better! Go on an' wipe your boots on me, but ...

FLAMM

[_Who is standing by the table, turns suddenly with indignant astonishment toward ROSE. He strives to master his rage. Suddenly however he brings down his fist on the table top with resounding violence._] I will be d.a.m.ned to all ...!

ROSE