"Whether, if Mary O'Neill is unable from any cause to keep control of her child (which God forbid!), her father intends to take possession of it."
"Why shouldn't he? If the mother dies, for instance, her father will be the child's legal guardian."
"But if by that time the father is dead too—what then?"
"Then the control of the child will—with the consent of the court—devolve upon his heir and representative."
"Meaning this lady?" I asked, pointing to the woman MacLeod, who was now standing at the back of Daniel O'Neill's chair.
"Possibly."
"And what will she do with it?"
"Do with it?"
The lawyer was running his fingers through his long beard and trying to look perplexed.
"Mr. Curphy, I'll ask you not to pretend to be unable to understand me. If and when this lady gets possession of Mary O'Neill's child, what is she going to do with it?"