He had come in and was sitting in the big chair by the table.

But this time he didn't look right away as usual and give me a chance to slip quietly out of the room, as I always had before.

Instead he said: "What are you doing there, Mary ?" "N-nothing." I know I stammered.

It always scares me to talk to Father.
"Nonsense!" Father frowned and hitched in his chair.

Father always hitches in his chair when he's irritated and nervous.