We tried to get at the bottom of it, but he was not communicative.

Indeed, his answers after our twentieth question or thereabouts became quite short.
In the evening, however, when he and I happened to be alone, he broached the subject himself.

He said: "They are somewhat peculiar in some things, these Germans." I said: "What has happened ?" "Well," he answered, "there was that cushion I wanted." "For your aunt," I remarked.
"Why not ?" he returned.

He was huffy in a moment; I never knew a man so touchy about an aunt.

"Why shouldn't I send a cushion to my aunt ?" "Don't get excited," I replied.