"But you are not," I said.
"No," he assented.
"And you shouldn't have her if you were," I added.
"I don't want the child," Deacon Daniel returned. "I shouldn't know what to do with it."
Then we both laughed, and I got him seated in Father's chair, and we had a long chat over the whole situation. I had not realized how much I wanted to talk matters over with somebody. Aunt Naomi is out of the question, because she is so fond of telling things; Miss Charlotte would be better, but she is not very worldly wise; and if I may tell the truth, I wanted to talk with a man. The advice of women is wise often, and yet more often it is comforting; but it has somehow not the conclusiveness of the decision of a sensible man. At least that is the way I felt to-night, though in many matters I should never think of trusting to a man's judgment.
"I think I shall adopt baby legally," I said. "Then nobody could take her away or bother me about her."
He asked me if her father would agree, and I said that I was sure he would.
"It would make her your heir if you died without a will," he commented.
I said that nothing was more easy than to make a will, and of course I should mean to provide for her.
"You are not afraid of wills, then?" Deacon Daniel observed, looking at me curiously. "So many folks can't bear the idea of making one."