Since you _are_ here, however, you can stay.

But let us understand one another.

I am your father, in a sense, as I am father, for aught I know, to half the parish; but as to being lawfully so, the law has happened to have decided otherwise.

I know what you would say about 'the rights of it;' but that's beside the question; the law, I say, for once, is on my side, and I stand by it.

Egad, I have good reason to do so; and if your mother had been _your_ wife, as she was mine, you would be with me so far.