Hints Of Desperation?

"Boys! I'm in charge here!" Lucy's voice was strained, becoming high-pitched.
Almost desperate? wondered Sheriff Cole, as she leaned towards her sons. "Get out now!"
"Dear God Lucy, please let them boys be!" Minister McGinley was visibly trembling but somehow he managed to force the words out. "You're not well, Lucy, you're -"
"Shut your mouth!" Lucy screamed, and the barrels of both the rifle and the pistol swung up to stare black-eyed at her husband's chest.
"No, Ma!" yelled Samuel and he climbed frantically onto the desk, kneeling, shaking and sobbing between his mother and his father.