-and taking the girls with me. What am I talking about? I
had something to say, and I don't know what it is; I don't know my
own self! There, there; I'll keep quiet. It's my poor stupid head, I
suppose--hot, Mool, burning hot. Let's be reasonable. Yes, yes, yes;
let's be reasonable. You're a lawyer. I said to myself, when I came
here, 'I want Mool's advice.' Be a dear good fellow--set my mind at
ease. Oh, my friend, my old friend, what can I do for my children?"

Amazed and distressed--utterly at a loss how to interfere to any
good purpose--Mr. Mool recovered his presence of mind, the moment Mr.
Gallilee appealed to him in his legal capacity. "Don't distress yourself
about your children," he said kindly. "Thank God, we stand on firm
ground, there."

"Do you mean it, Mool?"

"I mean it. Where your daughters are concerned, the authority is yours.
Be firm, Gallilee! be firm!"

"I will! You set me the example--don't you? _You're_ firm--eh?"

"Firm as a rock. I agree with you. For the present at least, the
children must be removed."

"At once, Mool!"

"At once!" the lawyer repeated.

They had wrought each other up to the right pitch of resolution, by this
time. They were almost loud enough for the clerks to hear them in the
office.

"No matter what my wife may say!" Mr. Gallilee stipulated.

"No matter what she may say," Mr. Mool rejoined, "the father is master."

"And _you_ know the law."

"And I know the law. You have only to assert yourself."

"And _you_ have only to back me."

"For your children's sake, Gallilee!"

"Under my lawyer's advice, Mool!"

The one resolute Man was produced at last--without a flaw in him
anywhere. They were both exhausted by the effort. Mr. Mool suggested a
glass of wine.

Mr. Gallilee ventured on a hint. "You don't happen to have a drop of
champagne handy?" he said.

The lawyer rang for his housekeeper. In five minutes, they were pledging
each other in foaming tumblers. In five minutes more, they plunged back
into business. The question of the best place to which the children
could be removed, was easily settled. Mr. Mool offered his own house;
acknowledging modestly that it had perhaps one drawback--it was within
easy reach of Mrs. Gallilee. The statement of this objection stimulated
his friend's memory. Lady Northlake was in Scotland. Lady Northlake had
invited Maria and Zo, over and over again, to pass the autumn with their
cousins; but Mrs. Gallilee's jealousy had al