He felt vexed with his wife for not being anxious about this exquisite baby, and in this vexed humor he had no wish to go to her; he had no wish, either, to see Princess Betsy.

But his wife might wonder why he did not go to her as usual; and so, overcoming his disinclination, he went towards the bedroom.

As he walked over the soft rug towards the door, he could not help overhearing a conversation he did not want to hear.