"Now I have a last word or two to say, which I recommend you to hear quietly.
In the first place, you have no right over the child whatever; for I happen to know that you are without a signed agreement promising you her services.

(You had better hear me out for your own sake.) You have no legal right, I say, to control the child in any manner.

She is a perfectly free agent, so far as you are concerned .-- Yes! yes! you deny it, of course! I have only to say that, if you attempt to back that denial by still asserting your claim to her, and making a disturbance in my house, as sure as you stand there, I'll ruin you in Rubbleford and in all the country round.

(It's no use laughing--I can do it!) You beat the child in the vilest manner last night.

I am a magistrate; and I have my prosecutor and my witness of the assault ready whenever I choose to call them.