"I don't want the child coerced." She laughed again.

"What an idea! Are children ever coerced in these days?
It's usually the parents who have to put up with that sort of treatment.

Now tell me about the other man.

What and where is he ?" Ingleton told her with surly reluctance.

"Oh, he was a handsome young beggar she met five years ago--the son of my then bailiff, as a matter of fact.