Is that true? Is that possible? Now there you see again how life is, father Bernd. When your master let you go without a bit o' pension or anything for your old age, you were quite desperate and hopeless. An' 'twas an unfeeling thing to do! But now God has turned everything to good. BERND So it is! But men has too little faith! MRS. FLAMM Well, then! Now you're well off! In the first place the house is right opposite the church, an' then it has a good bit o' land that goes with it! And Rose, well, I'm sure she knows how to manage. Yes, you can really be satisfied. BERND The blessin's that a lady like that can spread! Next to God ... it's to her we owe the most. If I'd been in her service an' had ruined my health as I did workin' for my master, I wouldn't ha' had to complain. MRS. FLAMM You have nothing more to complain of now, Bernd. BERND My goodness, no! In one way not! MRS. FLAMM You can't count on gratitude in this world. My father was chief forester for forty years an' when he died my mother knew want for all that.--You have an excellent son-in-law. You can live in a pleasant house and you'll even have your own land to work on. And that everything goes from better to better--well, you can let your children see to that. BERND An' that's what I hope for too. No, I haven't no doubt o' that at all. A man who has worked himself up in the world that way by carryin' tracts ... MRS. FLAMM Weren't you thinking once of being a missionary? AUGUST Unfortunately my health was too bad for that. BERND ... An' learned readin' an' writin' an' his trade too the while, an' is so upright an' Christian--well, I feel that I can lay down my head in peace if it is to lay it down to my last sleep. MRS. FLAMM Do you know, by the way, father Bernd, that my husband is giving up his office as magistrate? He'll hardly marry your girl. BERND They're in a hurry.... MRS. FLAMM I know, I know. Rose is helpin' along too. She was in to see me this morning. If you wouldn't mind, going to look ... right behind the yard ... Christie!... There he is.... FLAMM [_Not yet visible, calls:_] Presently! In a moment! MRS. FLAMM It's official business. _FLAMM, without coat or waistcoat, appears in the door of his den. His gleaming white shirt is open in front. He is busy cleaning the barrels of a shotgun._ FLAMM Here I am. The machinist Streckmann was here just now. I'd like to have my threshing done at once, but the machine is down there on the estate and they're far from being done ... Dear me! Surely that's father Bernd. BERND Yes, Mr. Flamm, we have come here. We were wantin' to.... FLAMM One thing after another! Patience! [_He examines the barrels of the gun carefully._] If you have official business for the magistrate, you'd better wait a little while. Steckel will be my successor and he will take these matters a deal more solemnly. MRS. FLAMM