"You will oblige me, Force, by permitting me to run my household as I see fit. If this Madame What's-her-name comes out here to see me, I shall pack her off to town again so quick her head will swim. We have brought Kathleen up as if she was our own child, sir, and I don't care to have any suggestions from you, sir. What's more, I must say--although it's against the rules of the telephone company--you are a damned fine man to be giving advice to me about the raising of your child. You--" "Sh! For heaven's sake, Bingle, don't shout like that! Be careful, man!" "Well, you leave Kathleen to me, that's all I've got to say. She shall play with the rest of the children as much as she likes, Force. So far as we are concerned, she's no better than the rest of them, understand that, sir. She isn't going to be contaminated a darned bit more than she was before you discovered that she was yours. And, as for that, she isn't yours until I see fit to give her up. Understand that, too. Now, if--wait a minute! I'm still talking. Now, if you think you can give me any pointers on how to bring up children I want to say to you that you are barking up the wrong tree. Don't you dare to send that woman here, and don't you dare to dictate to me how--" "Wait a minute, wait a minute, Bingle," came Mr. Force's agitated voice through the transmitter. "For heaven's sake, don't fly off the handle like this. I--I thought I was acting for the best interests of every one. I was only trying to help you out in--" "I don't need any help," said Mr. Bingle crisply. "Have you told your wife?" "Yes, I have," said Force. "That's--that's why we are going abroad for a few months. She--" "Mrs. Bingle was right, then. She usually is. What is her attitude?" "Devilish bad, Bingle--devilish, that's all I can say. I can't talk to you over the telephone about it. I'll--I'll write you from Paris. I'm--I'm working with her, that's all I can do at present. I believe she'll come around all right in the end. I'm sure she will. I'll--I'll let you know." "Says she won't have the brat in her house, is that it?" said Mr. Bingle, with a queer rasp in his voice. "I can't talk to you over the telephone. Didn't you hear me say so a minute ago?" "You can say yes or no, can't you?" "She's pretty much upset over the business." "Speak up! I can't hear you." "I'll drop you a line in the morning. Now, Bingle, you will take good care of the child, won't you. She--" "I shall take good care of all of them, Force." "And now about this Madame Du--" "She is out of the question, Force. Good night!" "Just as you say, old man. I sha'n't insist if you are opposed to--" "Good night!" "But I will feel a great deal easier in my mind if she isn't allowed to come in contact with the rest--" Mr. Bingle hung up the receiver. CHAPTER XI A TIMELY LESSON IN LOVE