When he had finished she asked a question.

"What do you mean about going to law about the clearin' ?" "Your worthy friend, Mr.Bates, has arrived in this place this very day.
He's located with the Principal, he _is_." "He isn't here," she replied in angry scorn.
"All right.

Just _as you please_." "He isn't here," she said more sulkily.
"But _he is_." She ignored his replies.

"What do you mean about going to law about the land ?" "Why, I haven't got much time left,"-- he was standing now with his watch in his hand--"but for the sake of old times I'll tell you, if you don't see through that.

D'you suppose Bates isn't long-headed! He's heard about Father Cameron being here, and knowing the old man couldn't give an account of himself, he's come to see him and pretend he's your father.