"At all events, let us speak to her," said he, and sent James upstairs to fetch her down.
Short as the time was that he was away, it was enough for K. I. to get into one of his passions, just because I gave him the friendly caution that he ought to be delicate and guarded in the way he mentioned the matter to Mary Anne.
"Is n't she my daughter?" said he, with a stamp of his foot; and just for that, Molly, I would n't give him the satisfaction to say she is.
"I ask you," cried he again, "isn't she my daughter?"
Not a syllable would I answer him.
"Well, maybe she is n't," said he; "but my authority over her is all the same."
"Oh, you can be as cruel and tyrannical as you please," said I.
"Look now, Mrs. D.—" said he; but, fortunately, Molly, just at that moment James and his sister came in, and he stopped suddenly.
"Oh, dearest papa," cried Mary Anne, falling at his feet, and hiding her face in her hands, "how can I leave you, and dear, dear mamma?"
"That's what we are going to talk over, my dear," said he, quite dryly, and taking a pinch of snuff.