Sentence:  'Laura!' The voice halting her was <WSD>terse</WSD>. Brusque. She turned. [...] 'Before I go,' he said, and his voice was <WSD>terse</WSD>, tighter than ever. 'I want to ensure you understand something.' 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Of manner or speech: abruptly or brusquely short; curt.