Jealousy might be at the bottom of it or a certain nervous fussiness.

Whatever it was it was too trivial for him to waste his time over.
The captain rose from his chair, crossed the sitting-room, and opened the door leading to the porch, letting in the sunshine.

Martha followed close at his heels.
"You're runnin' on a wrong tack, old woman, and first thing ye know ye'll be in the breakers," he said, with his hand on the knob.

"Ease off a little and don't be too hard on 'em.

They'll make harbor all right.