Nobody spoke but Mrs.Sloane, vibrating nervously in the midst of her clamorous hens, and Barney silenced her.
"We'll go right in," he said, in a stern, peremptory tone; then he turned to William.

"Are you ready ?" he asked.
William nodded, with his eyes cast down.

The party made a motion towards the other room, but Mrs.Sloane unexpectedly stood before the door.
"I told her there shouldn't nobody come in," said she, "an' I ain't goin' to have you all bustin' in on her without she knows it.

She's terrible upset.

You wait a minute." Mrs.Sloane's blue eyes glared defiantly at the company.