For heaven's sake ...

_MRS. FLAMM, wheeled by a maid servant, appears at the door of the den._

MRS. FLAMM

What is the trouble, Christopher?

_FLAMM who has turned deadly pale, pulls himself together energetically, takes his hat and cane from the wall and goes out through the door at the right._

MRS. FLAMM

[_Looks at her husband in consternation, shakes her head at his abrupt departure and then turns questioningly to ROSE._] What has happened?

What's the matter with him?

ROSE

[_Overwhelmed by her profound wretchedness._] Oh, dear Mrs. Flamm, I'm that unhappy!

[_She sinks down before MRS. FLAMM and buries her head in the latter's lap._

MRS. FLAMM

Now do tell me!... For pity's sake, la.s.s ... what's come over you! What is it? You're like a different creature. I can't never understand that!

[_To the maid who has wheeled her in._] I don't need you now; you can come back later! Get everything ready in the kitchen. [_The maid leaves the room._] Now then! What is the trouble? What has happened? Tell me everything! It'll ease you! What? What is't you say? Don't you want to marry that pasty August? Or maybe you're carryin' some other fellow around in your thoughts? Dear me! one o' them is about as good as another, an' no man is worth a great deal.

ROSE

[_Controlling herself and rising._] I know what I wants and that's the end o't!

MRS. FLAMM

Is that true? You see, I was afraid you didn't know! Sometimes a woman don't know, especially a young one like you. An' then, maybe, an older woman can help a bit. But if you know what you want,'tis well! You'll be findin' your own way out o' your trouble. [_Putting on her spectacles, with a keen glance._] Rosie, are you ill maybe?

ROSE

[_Frightened and confused._] Ill? How ...?

MRS. FLAMM

Why, don't people get ill? You used to be so different formerly.

ROSE

But I'm not ill!

MRS. FLAMM

I'm not sayin' it. I just ask. I ask because I want to know! But we must understand each other rightly! 'Tis true! Don't let's talk round about the thing we want to know, or play hide an' seek.--You're not afraid that I don't mean well? [_ROSE shakes her head vigorously._] An 'twould be strange if you did. That's settled then. You used to play with my little Kurt. You two grew up together until it pleased G.o.d to take my only child.--An' that very time your mother died too an' I remember--she was lyin' on her deathbed--that she was askin' me that I might, if possible, look after you a bit.

ROSE

[_Staring straight before her._] The best thing for me would be to jump into the river! If things is that way ... G.o.d forgive me the sin!

MRS. FLAMM

If things are that way? How? I don't understand you! You might well speak a bit more clearly.--In the first place, I'm a woman myself, an' it won't astonish me. An' then--I've been a mother myself, even if I have no children now. La.s.s, who knows what's wrong with you? I've been watchin'

you for weeks an' weeks; maybe you didn't notice anything, but now I want you to come out with the truth.--Wheel me over to that chest o' drawers.

[_ROSE obeys her._] So! Here in these drawers are old things--a child's clothes an' toys. They were Kurt's ... Your mother said to me once: My Rose, she'll be a mother o' children! But her blood is a bit too hot!--I don't know. Maybe she was right. [_She takes a large doll from one of the drawers._] Do you see? Things may go as they want to in this world, but a mother is not to be despised.--You and Kurt used to play with this doll.

'Twas you mainly that took care o' her, washed her, fed her, gave her clean linen, an' once--Flamm happened to come up--you put her to your breast.--You brought those flowers this morning, didn't you? The forget-me-nots in the little dish yonder? An' you put flowers on Kurt's grave o' Sunday. Children an' graves--they're women's care. [_She has taken a little child's linen shift from the drawer, she unfolds it, holding it by the sleeves, and speaks from behind it._] Didn't you, Rosie? An' I thank you for it, too. Your father, you see, he's busy with his missionary meetin's an' his Bible lessons an' such things. All people are sinners here, says he, an' he wants to make angels of 'em. It may be that he's right, but I don't understand those things. I've learned one thing in this world, an' that is what it is to be a mother an' how a mother is blessed with sorrows.

_ROSE overwhelmed and moaning has sunk down beside MRS. FLAMM and kisses the latter's hands again and again in grat.i.tude and as a sign of confession._

MRS. FLAMM

[_Shows by a sudden gleam in her eyes that she understands the truth and has received the confession. But she continues to speak quietly._] You see, la.s.s, that's what I've learned. I've learned that one thing which the world has forgotten. I don't know very much about anything else. As much as most people, maybe, an' that's not any real knowledge. [_She lays down the child's shift carefully on her lap._] Well, now you go home an'

be of good courage! I'll be thinkin' things over for you. 'Tis well so far. I'll ask you no more just now. You're different now ... all's different. An' I'll be doubly careful. I don't want to know anything, but I want you to depend on me. Little I care, anyhow, who the father is--if 'tis a councillor or a beggar. It's we who have to bring the children into the world, an' no one can help us there. Three things you must think about--how about your father, and about August ... an' something more.

But I have time enough! I'll think it all over an' I'll feel that I'm still good for something in this world.

ROSE

[_Has arisen and pa.s.sed again into a state of moral numbness._] No, no, Mrs. Flamm, don't do that! You can't! Don't take no interest in me! I've not deserved it of him nor of no one! I know that! I've got to fight it through--alone! There's no help in others for me; it's ... no, I can't tell you no clearer!... You're as good to me as an angel! Dear G.o.d, you're much too good! But it's no use! I can't take your help.

Good-bye....

MRS. FLAMM

Wait a little! I can't let you go this way. Who knows what you may be doin'?

ROSE

No, you can be reel quiet about that, Mrs. Flamm. I'm not that desperate yet. If there's need, I can work for my child. Heaven's high an' the world is wide! If it was just me, an' if it wasn't for father an' if August didn't seem so pitiful ... an' then, a child ought to have a father!

MRS. FLAMM

Good. You just be resolute. You were always a brave girl. An' 'tis better if you can keep your courage up!--But, if I've understood you rightly, I can't see at all why you want to fight against the weddin'.

ROSE

[_Becomes sullen, pale and fearful._] What can I say? I don't hardly know! An' I don't want to fight against it no more. Only ...

Streckmann....

MRS. FLAMM

Be open with me, you understand? For my part you can go home now! But come back to-morrow! An' listen to this thing I say: Be glad! A woman ought to be glad of her child....

ROSE

An' G.o.d knows that I am! An' I will fight it all through! Only--n.o.body can't help me to do it!