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.