"Consider it an unexpected vacation while your husband is getting control of his temper."
The guy was anything but happy, but he seemed to be maintaining control of his temper.
At heart the man is not murderer; he simply lost control of his temper.
He was in total control of his temper and his emotions.
He seemed to have regained control of his temper, though disgruntled by the vote.
He had little or no control of his temper, and now he was frantic.
To do this, find a time to raise the problem when you feel more in control of your temper.
He was letting things get to him again, losing control of his temper.
If he lost control of his temper now, bloodshed would be unavoidable.
Finally, the next day, Sam gets control of his temper.