"They said stuck up. Personally I should never have condescended to make use of such an expression."
"What did you say? I expect you gave them a piece of your mind?"
"You may depend on that! The old lady threatened never again to cross our threshold."
"Did she really? Do you think she meant it?"
"No, I don't! But I'm certain that the old man...."
"You shouldn't speak of your father in that tone! Supposing somebody heard you!"
"Do you think I should run that risk? However, the old man—between you and me—will never come here again."
Falk pondered; after a while he resumed the conversation.
"Is your mother proud? Is she easily hurt? I'm always so afraid of hurting people's feelings, as you know; you ought to tell me about her weak points, so that I can take care."
"You ask me whether she is proud? You know; she is, in her own way. Supposing, for instance, she was told that we had given a dinner-party without asking her and my sisters, she would never come here again."