An' what am I to say to her, Flamm?
FLAMM
Mother, you know that better than I! You know very well … you spoke of it yourself…. For heaven's sake, don't be petty at this moment! She mustn't go from our door in any such fashion!
MRS. FLAMM
I can't clean her boots, Flamm!
FLAMM
And I don't want you to! It isn't a question of that! But you sent for her yourself.—You can't change so completely in a moment as to forget all compassion and sympathy. What did you say to me a while ago? And if the lass goes to the devil … you know I'm not such a scoundrel that I'd care to drag out my life any longer. It's one thing or the other—don't forget that!
MRS. FLAMM
Well, Christie … you men are not worth it, to be sure. An' yet, in the end, what is a body to do?—The heart bleeds! 'Tis our own fault. Why does a woman deceive herself again an' again, when she's old enough an' sensible enough to know better! An' don't deceive yourself about this thing either, Christie…. I'm willin'! I can do it! I'll talk to her! Not for your sake, but because it's right. But don't imagine that I can make whole what you've broken.—You men are like children in that respect!
The MAID comes back.