I have anticipated this much to make things clearer.

It was on the first morning of Hedwig's confinement that De Pretis came to our house.
Nino was soon waked by the maestro's noise, and came to the door of his chamber, which opens into the little sitting-room, to inquire what the matter might be.

Nino asked if the maestro were peddling cabbages, that he should scream so loudly.
"Cabbages, indeed! cabbage yourself, silly boy!" cried Ercole, shaking his fist at Nino's head, just visible through the crack of the door.
"A pretty mess you have made with your ridiculous love affair! Here am I--" "I see you are," retorted Nino; "and do not call any affair of mine ridiculous, or I will throw you out of the window.

Wait a moment!" With that he slammed his door in the maestro's face, and went on with his dressing.

For a few minutes De Pretis raved at his ease, venting his wrath on me.