My uncle's face had expressed considerable disgust at this invasion of his privacy, but it was part of his position to be on good terms with the fighting-men, so he contented himself with asking curtly what business had brought him there.
Une expression de vive contrariété avait paru sur la figure de mon oncle, en voyant envahir ainsi son séjour intime. Mais c'était une des nécessités de sa situation de rester en bons termes avec les professionnels.