"Not an explanation?"
"I don't know. He's annoyed at my visit of Tuesday last."
"Annoyed!" Van der Welcke seethed. "Annoyed at your visit!"
"For God's sake, Van der Welcke!" cried Paul, terrified. "Don't always fly out like that. Do remember...."
"Annoyed!" foamed Van der Welcke. "Annoyed!"
"Henri, please!" cried Constance. "I thank you for resenting the insult offered to your wife. But restrain yourself: he'll be here in a minute. Restrain yourself, for Addie's sake...."
"Restrain myself! Restrain myself!" shouted Van der Welcke, like a madman.
The door opened. Van Naghel and Bertha entered.
"Do you want to speak to me, Constance?" asked Van Naghel.
"I should very much like to speak to you for a moment, Van Naghel," said Constance, while Paul made signs to Van der Welcke as though begging him to control himself. "Bertha tells me that you are sorry that I called at your house on Tuesday, on her reception-day."