ROSE
[Frightened and confused.] Ill? How …?
MRS. FLAMM
Why, don't people get ill? You used to be so different formerly.
ROSE
But I'm not ill!
MRS. FLAMM
I'm not sayin' it. I just ask. I ask because I want to know! But we must understand each other rightly! 'Tis true! Don't let's talk round about the thing we want to know, or play hide an' seek.—You're not afraid that I don't mean well? [ROSE shakes her head vigorously.] An 'twould be strange if you did. That's settled then. You used to play with my little Kurt. You two grew up together until it pleased God to take my only child.—An' that very time your mother died too an' I remember—she was lyin' on her deathbed—that she was askin' me that I might, if possible, look after you a bit.
ROSE
[Staring straight before her.] The best thing for me would be to jump into the river! If things is that way … God forgive me the sin!