I see. I'm not blind. But I don't care to drink like the beasts. Have you no cups in your basket? [_ROSE pushes the cover of her basket aside._] Well, then! You even have a cup of Bunzlauer ware! I like to drink out of that best of all. [_She hands him the cup, still with averted face._] I beg your pardon. You might practise a little politeness! I suppose you'll have to force yourself to it this one more time. [_ROSE walks over to the spring, rinses the cup, fills it with water, sets it down next to the spring and then returns to her basket. She picks the latter up and waits with her back to FLAMM._] No, Rosie--that won't do at all. You might get rid of some gaol bird in that fashion. I don't know the habits of such persons very exactly. As things are, I'm still the magistrate Flamm. Am I going to get a drink or am I not? Well: One ... two ... three ... and ... there's an end to this, I' beg for some decency! No more nonsense! [_ROSE has returned to the spring, has picked up the cup and now holds it out to FLAMM, still refusing to look at him._] So! Higher, though, a little higher! I can't get at it yet! 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, lassie,'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 God 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 damn! If this thing is really decreed in the council of God, 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