He did not propose to lose his temper, but merely to be persistent and agreeable, and by a few questions bring around a mild understanding of some sort.
"Why do you feel so bad about that affair of this morning ?" he said, at last.

"We needn't quarrel about that.

You know you can go to Waukesha if you want to." "So you can stay here and trifle around with some one else ?" she exclaimed, turning to him a determined countenance upon which was drawn a sharp and wrathful sneer.
He stopped as if slapped in the face.

In an instant his persuasive, conciliatory manner fled.

He was on the defensive at a wink and puzzled for a word to reply.
"What do you mean ?" he said at last, straightening himself and gazing at the cold, determined figure before him, who paid no attention, but went on arranging herself before the mirror.
"You know what I mean," she said, finally, as if there were a world of information which she held in reserve--which she did not need to tell.
"Well, I don't," he said, stubbornly, yet nervous and alert for what should come next.