Balt Haer said impatiently, "I seem to be under the impression that you were speaking of more current times, when I entered, Mr. Holland."
From the door, Nadine said, "Good heavens, Balt, are you badgering my guests again?"
The three men faced her.
Balt said nastily, "I am astonished that you persist in bringing members of the lower orders into my home, Nadine."
"Our home, Balt. In fact, if you must bring up such matters before outsiders, you will recall that you converted your portion of the family estate into continental Hovercraft stock, shortly before father met Baron Zwerdling's forces in the recent fracas. No wonder you dislike Major Mauser. Through his efforts, our company won, rather than losing as you had expected."
Her brother, who could have been only slightly her senior, was obviously enraged. "Are you suggesting that I am not welcome to stay in this, our family home, simply because the property is in your name?"
"Not at all," she sighed. "You are always at home here, Balt, I simply demand that you exercise common courtesy to my guests."
He turned and walked stiff kneed from the room.
"Sorry," Joe said to Nadine.