"Oscar Stephenson," interrupted Magnus, "you will give the child back to the mother."
"And if I refuse, by what right will you command me?" said Oscar.
"By the right I acquired when I gave Thora up to you," replied Magnus.
"And by the right I acquired when she became my wife I will do with her child as I think proper," said Oscar.
At that Magnus lost all control of himself.
"Is she a dog that you can take her whelps?" he cried.
"The law gives me the right to dispose of her offspring as I think proper," said Oscar.
"Then damn the law," cried Magnus. "And if you are deaf to my entreaties I--I will----"
"Go on," said Oscar. "It will not be the first time that you have threatened to break the law."
"You are breaking that poor girl's heart, yet you talk to me about breaking the law. But I'll do more than that. If you will not give the child to its mother I will take it by force and give it back to her myself. And if any man tries to prevent me, no matter who he is or what he is, by God I'll break his teeth down his throat."