It seems to be coming out that he ruled with an iron hand, and that she (and the lodgers they had) were strictly forbidden from entering the basement and interrupting his "work" (drafting plans for machines)..
There's a lot that can be done with physical and verbal intimidation, especially to someone who doesn't think they can get / deserve better.
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"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel
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