He found, however, that he had no strength for such an effort, and was obliged to remain leaning on the bed and resting on the doctor's arm.
"There was no such child ever lived," said he.

"What do you mean by this ?" Dr Thorne would say nothing further till he had got the man into bed again.

This he at last effected, and then he went on with the story in his own way.
"Yes, Scatcherd, that child is alive; and for fear that you should unintentionally make her your heir, I have thought it right to tell you this." "A girl, is it ?" "Yes, a girl." "And why should you want to spite her?
If she is Mary's child, she is your brother's child also.

If she is my niece, she must be your niece too.

Why should you want to spite her?
Why should you try to do her such a terrible injury ?" "I do not want to spite her." "Where is she?
Who is she?
What is she called?
Where does she live ?" The doctor did not at once answer all these questions.