But THEY'LL say--Atkins and his lawyer--that the man was desperate and despairing because of your refusal to give him his child.

They'll hold him up as a repentant sinner, anxious to reform, and needing the little girl's influence to help keep him straight.
That's their game, and they'll play it, be sure of that, It sounds reasonable enough, too, for sinners have repented before now.

And the long-lost father coming back to his child is the one sure thing to win applause from the gallery, you know that." Captain Cy nodded.
"Yup," he said, "I know it.

The other night, when Miss Ph-- when a friend of mine was at the house, she said this business was like a play.

I didn't say so to her, but all the same I realize it ain't like a play at all.