I notice there’s a difference in the quotation marks. Mine are slanted. Could that be the cause? I think the game just picks up SAY CARETAKER and ignores anything between the slanted quotes.
But I’m enjoying the Windows version very much! I like the typing sounds…
Curious, your quotes are not recognized. They must be another ASCII character… The Windows version runs the Atari ST version, with its characteristic “beep” 
Thanks to Nicholas Campbell, a patched version of “The Elves of Maroland” is now available in its CPC version to be played on AZERTY keyboards. French friends, it’s your time! 
https://www.rudolphinerur.com/elves/MAROLAND_CPC_DISK_AZERTY.zip
And Belgian… (Aw, I was just getting used to typing Z whever I wanted to go WEST.)
Actually, I often have trouble getting used to typing commands the AZERTY-way in the Inform/TADS/… game I start right after I’ve finished an oldschool game in DOSBox.
You can read a brief review of the adventure at: