ROSE

But you must hold it.

FLAMM

How can I drink this way?

ROSE

[_Amused against her will, turns her face to him._] Oh, but....

FLAMM

That's better already!--That's good!--[_Apparently unintentionally and as if merely to hold the cup, he puts his own hands upon ROSE'S which support it. His mouth at the rim he lowers himself more and more--until he kneels on one knee._] So! Thank you, Rosie! Now you can let me go.

ROSE

[_Making gentle efforts to disengage herself._] Oh, no! Do let me be, Mr.

Flamm!

FLAMM

Is that so? You think, then, that I ought to let you be? Now, when at last I've succeeded in catching you! No, la.s.sie,'tis not so easy as that.

It won't do and you needn't ask it of me. You needn't wear yourself out!

You can't escape me! First of all, look me square in the eyes once more!

I haven't changed! I know; I know about--everything! I've had 'a talk with the magistrate Steckel about your having agreed to everything now. I thank G.o.d that I'm no longer the official who attends to the matchmaking!

Another man takes care of the man-traps now. I even know the date of the funeral ... I'll be ... I meant the wedding, of course. And in addition, I've talked to myself, too. Rose, 'tis a hard nut! I hope we won't break our teeth on it!

ROSE

I dare not stand this way with you here.

FLAMM

You must. Whether you may or not--I don't care! In fact I don't give a tinker's d.a.m.n! If this thing is really decreed in the council of G.o.d, as the song has it--I want a dismissal in all due form: I refuse to be just coolly shunted off.--Rose, is there anything in the past for which I need to ask your forgiveness?

ROSE

[_Touched, shakes her head with energy._] Nothin', nothin' at all, Mr.

Flamm.

FLAMM

No? Is that honest? [_ROSE nods a hearty affirmation._] Well, I'm glad of that, at least! I hoped it would be so. Then at least we can keep something that's harmonious in our memories. Ah, Rose, it was a good, good time....

ROSE

An' you must go back to your wife....

FLAMM

A good time! And it rushes past ... past! And what do we keep of it?

ROSE

You must be kind, very kind to your wife, Mr. Flamm. She's an angel; 'tis she that saved me!

FLAMM

Come, let's sit down under the pear tree! Very well. But why talk of it?

I'm always kind to my wife. Our relations are the very friendliest. Come, Rose! Tell me all about that. What d'you mean by that? Saved? What did she save you from, Rose? I'd naturally like to know that! What was the matter with you? Mother did drop all sorts of hints; but I was no wiser for them.

ROSE

Mr. Christopher ... Mr. Flamm! I can't sit down here. An' it don't matter! It can't lead to anythin'. 'Tis all over an' past now--well--'tis all dead an' gone. I know G.o.d will forgive me the sin. An' He won't lay it up against the poor, innocent child neither. He's too merciful to do that!

FLAMM

[_Alluding to the hum of the threshing machine which grows louder and louder._] That confounded buzzing all the time!--What did you say, Rose?

Sit down just a moment. I won't harm you; I won't even touch you! I give you my word, Rose. Have some confidence in me! I want you to speak out--to tell what's on your heart!

ROSE

I don't know ... there's ... there's just nothin' more to say! When once I'm married, you can go an' ask the good missis. Maybe she'll tell you then what was the trouble with me. I haven't told August nothin' either.

I know he's good. I'm not afraid o' that. He's soft o' heart an' a good Christian man. An' now: Good-bye, Christie--keep well.--We've a long life ahead of us now an', maybe, we can be reel faithful an' do penance an'

work hard an' pay off the debt.

FLAMM

[_Holding ROSE'S hand fast in his._] Rose, stay one moment. It's all right and I must be satisfied. I'm not coming to your wedding, G.o.d knows!

But even if I don't come to your wedding, still I admit that you're right.--But, oh, la.s.s, I've loved you so truly, so honestly.... I can never tell you how much! And it's been, upon my word, as far back as I can think.--You had crept into my heart even in the old days when you were a child and were always so honest ... so frank about a thousand little things--so straight and true, however things were. No sneakiness, no subterfuge--whatever the consequences. I've known women enough in Tarant and in Eberswalde at the agricultural college and in the army, and I was usually lucky with them--ridiculously so. And yet I never knew true happiness except through you.

ROSE

Oh, Christie, I've loved you too!

FLAMM

Why you've been in love with me ever since you were a little thing! Why you used to make eyes at me.... Do you believe you'll ever think of it?

And think of the mad, old sinner Flamm?

ROSE

That I will. I have a pledge....

FLAMM

You mean the ring with the bit of stone? And won't you come to our house some time?