"Yes, I do hope it! And, if you help me, Bertha, if you help me, it will not be so utterly impossible."
"How do I know that Mrs. van Eilenburgh or the Van den Heuvel Steyns will ever come to us again, after meeting you at my house?"
"So you decline?" cried Constance, flaring up. "So you refuse?"
"Constance, I should like to do what you ask; there is nothing I should like better. But people, but Van Naghel...."
"Then let me speak to Van Naghel!"
"Constance...."
"Let me speak to Van Naghel, I say!"
"Don't make a scene."
"I shan't make a scene; but let me speak to Van Naghel. I see your husband is getting up: he has finished playing. Tell him I want to speak to him. Let Van der Welcke be present at our conversation. Paul, you must be there too...."
"But, Constance, why, why speak to him? I am so afraid Mamma will notice...."