[_As though but now becoming conscious of ROSE'S presence, in an affectedly well-modulated voice._] Good day, Rosie. ROSE [_Turns frightened._] Good day, Streckmann. [_In an uncertain voice_] Why, where did you come from? From church? STRECKMANN I went away a bit early. ROSE [_Excitedly and reproachfully._] What for? Couldn't you put up with the sermon? STRECKMANN [_Boldly._] Oh, it's such beautiful weather out. An' that's why! I left my wife in the church too. A feller has got to be by himself once in a while. ROSE I'd rather be in church. STRECKMANN That's where the women folks belongs. ROSE I shouldn't wonder if you had your little bundle o' sins. You might ha' been prayin' a bit. STRECKMANN I'm on pretty good terms with the Lord. He don't keep such very particular accounts o' my sins. ROSE Well, well! STRECKMANN No, he don't bother with me much. ROSE A vain, fool--that's what you is! _STRECKMANN laughs in a deep and affected tone._ ROSE If you was a real man, you wouldn't have to go an' beat your wife at home. STRECKMANN [_With a gleam in his eyes._] That shows that I'm a real man! That shows it! That's proper! A man's got to show you women that he's the master. ROSE Don't be fancyin' such foolishness. STRECKMANN That's so, for all you say. Right _is_ right. An' I never failed to get what I was wantin' that way. _ROSE laughs constrainedly._ STRECKMANN People says you're goin' to leave Flamm's service. ROSE I'm not in Flamm's service at all. You see now that I'm doin' other things. STRECKMANN You were helpin' at Flamm's no later'n yesterday. ROSE Maybe so! Maybe I was or maybe I wasn't! Look after your own affairs. STRECKMANN Is it true that your father has moved? ROSE Where to? STRECKMANN With August over into Lachmann's house. ROSE August hasn't even bought the house yet. Those people--they knows more than I. STRECKMANN An' they says too that you'll be celebratin' your weddin' soon. ROSE They can be talkin' for all I care. STRECKMANN [_After a brief silence approaches her and stands before her with legs wide apart._] Right you are! You can marry him any time. A fine girl like you don't need to hurry so; she can have a real good time first! I laughed right in his face when he told me. There's no one believes him. ROSE [_Quickly._] Who's been sayin' it? STRECKMANN August Keil. ROSE August himself? An' this is what he gets from his silly talkin'. STRECKMANN [_After a silence._] August he's such a peevish kind.... ROSE I don't want to hear nothing. Leave me alone! Your quarrels don't concern me! One o' you is no better'n another. STRECKMANN Well, in some things--when it comes to bein' bold. ROSE Oh, heavens! That boldness o' yours. We knows that. Go about an' asks the women folks a bit. No, August isn't that kind. STRECKMANN [_Laughs with lascivious boastfulness._] I'm not denyin' that. ROSE An' you couldn't. STRECKMANN