Mother Barbara, for once, found that she had a resolute person to deal with.

At a less distressing time, there would have been something irresistibly comical in her rage and astonishment, when I settled the dispute by locking her out of the room.
Soon afterwards Joseph came in with a message.

If there was no immediate necessity for his presence in the bedchamber, Mr.Engelman would go out to get a breath of fresh air, before he retired for the night.

There was no necessity for his presence; and I sent a message downstairs to that effect.
An hour later Mr.Engelman came in to see his old friend, and to say good-night.

After an interval of restlessness, the sufferer had become composed, and was dozing again under the influence of his medicine.
Making all allowances for the sorrow and anxiety which Mr.Engelman must necessarily feel under the circumstances, I thought his manner strangely absent and confused.