“But you might show some consideration, at least, to your own son,” said Hamilton.
“He did not show any to me,” sullenly replied Willmington.
“That is no reason why you should not: and you must recollect, he justified his harshness to you precisely on the same grounds as you now do yours. Besides, he may again, one day, justify any vengeance that he may be inclined to wreak upon you by your conduct to day.”
“There will not be much chance left of his doing so, I warrant you,” replied Willmington, with a sardonic smile.
“There is many a slip between the cup and the lip,” said Hamilton.
A pause ensued.
“Beside,” continued Willmington, re-opening the dialogue—“besides, he is my son only of a sort.”
“What do you mean,” inquired Hamilton.
“That his mother was not Mrs. Willmington,” answered Willmington.
“Do you mean to say, then, that you do not consider you owe any duty to your children that may not have been born in wedlock?” inquired Hamilton.