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 God 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, God knows! But even if I don't come to your wedding, still I admit that you're right.--But, oh, lass, 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