I don't know.—I'm not such a wicked lass … If that was true,'twould be a bitter crime!… An' that August lost his eye … it wasn't I that was the cause o' it. The pains that poor man had to suffer … they follows me day an' night. An' he might well despise me if they didn't. But you try an' work an' pray to save somethin' from the flames o' the world … an' men comes an' they breaks your strength.
FLAMM enters in intense excitement.
FLAMM
Who is breaking your strength? Look at mother here! On the contrary, we want to save you!
ROSE
'Tis too late now! It can't be done no more.
FLAMM
What does that mean?
ROSE
Nothin'!—I can't wait no longer. Good-bye, I'll go my ways.