Bill didn't like to be told what to do, but nevertheless he took two steps down the stairs and sat down on them with a heavy sigh. He was angry with Joe. He was worried about Lottie. He was worried about what would happen now. He didn't know how to deal with this surprise daughter-in-law. He was embarrassed about the spectacle they were making. But most of all, he was very tired. He looked down at Joe in the hall. "You should apologise to your mother," he said, in a quieter tone than Joe had heard him this night - which meant a normal tone.