She thought his exertions, his disappointment and the heat had combined to topple him over into insanity.

She retreated toward the farther of the open windows.

With a curse at her stupidity Stevens kicked over the table, used his foot vigorously in thrusting it to the wall.
"Now!" exclaimed he, taking his stand in the center of the room and gauging the distance of ceiling, floor and walls.
Nora, her back against the window frame, her fingers sunk in her big loose bosom, stared petrified.

Stevens, like an athlete swinging an indian club, whirled the body round and round his head, at the full length of his powerful arms.

More and more rapidly he swung it, until his breath came and went in gasps and the sweat was trickling in streams down his face and neck.