Ah-h!" she screamed shrilly, as he held out his hand in an entreating gesture--"Ah! Keep off me! Keep off me! Keep off!" She backed away, looking at him with eyes both angry and frightened.
Willems stared motionless, in dumb amazement at the mystery of anger and revolt in the head of his wife.

Why?
What had he ever done to her?
This was the day of injustice indeed.

First Hudig--and now his wife.

He felt a terror at this hate that had lived stealthily so near him for years.
He tried to speak, but she shrieked again, and it was like a needle through his heart.

Again he raised his hand.
"Help!" called Mrs.Willems, in a piercing voice.