But Richard De Jarnette's sleep had not been long enough nor sound enough to change his mind.
"The stubbornness of the man is incredible," the Judge reported when he got home. "He's going to make us trouble—I can see that. He makes no accusation against Margaret. He doesn't try in the least to defame her character, but he says his brother undoubtedly had sufficient reasons for making such a will and that he shall carry out his wishes."
"I suppose the small matter of Margaret's having borne the child is no reason why he should consult her wishes," said Mrs. Kirtley, indignantly.
"Apparently not. He simply ignores her."
"What could he do with a baby? He can't take care of it! I can't see why he wants it."
"It isn't that he wants it. This is not affection. But for some reason he is determined that Margaret shall not have it."
"It is a dog-in-the-manger spirit!"
"No." the Judge said, thoughtfully, "it isn't that." From long habit his judicial mind was weighing evidence on both sides. "I am convinced that he has some reason for this, but so far I haven't been able to get at it. I asked him plainly if he had anything against Margaret. He said he had no accusations to make. And indeed I don't see that he could make any. If ever in a case like this a woman has been absolutely blameless, that woman is Margaret."
"What does he propose to do with the child?"
"I asked him that. He says he shall leave him in charge of the old woman who has taken care of him all his life, but he intends to take them to his home. He says she is perfectly competent and trustworthy—"