Rowland felt that it was literally true that he did not care a straw for anything, but he observed with anxiety that Mrs.Hudson, who did not know on what delicate ground she was treading, was disposed to chide him caressingly, as a mere expression of tenderness.

He foresaw that she would bring down the hovering thunderbolt on her head.
"In God's name," Roderick cried, "don't remind me of my obligations! It 's intolerable to me, and I don't believe it 's pleasant to Mallet.
I know they 're tremendous--I know I shall never repay them.

I 'm bankrupt! Do you know what that means ?" The poor lady sat staring, dismayed, and Rowland angrily interfered.
"Don't talk such stuff to your mother!" he cried.

"Don't you see you 're frightening her ?" "Frightening her?
she may as well be frightened first as last.

Do I frighten you, mother ?" Roderick demanded.
"Oh, Roderick, what do you mean ?" whimpered the poor lady.