Oh this was bad. Oh this was really bad. Nate couldn't suspect how bad the timing was, with a newborn, his wife crazy and not presentable upstairs, a wetnurse who had just arrived herself, and the only remaining bedroom used as a storage room. Nate couldn't suspect any of this, but still Tobias was tempted to think it was spite. He hadn't even informed his brother that his wife was pregnant. He had only written back in January to say that he had gotten married. And Nate could do the math and would probably think even less of him.

All of this flashed through Tobias mind as he said: "Of course," stepped aside, and closed the door behind his brother. "You could have let me know you were coming. I'd have a room prepared..."