[_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' God 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, lass! But I asked you an' you said yes. 'Tis the inner man that counts! God 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 damnedest ...! _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