"Ah, ha'h, he-em! The question, so buried under a mountain of
complexity, requires very nice legal discrimination to define it
properly. However, we must be governed by distinct pleadings, and I
think that, in this case, this specific question is not material;
nor do my brother colleagues of the Bench think it would be
advisable to establish such questions, lest they affect the moral
purity of the atmosphere we live in."
"If your honour will permit it, I may say it will only be necessary
in this case to establish the fact of property existing in the
mothers. That will settle the whole question; fathers, as you are
aware, not being embraced in the law regulating this species of
property;" the learned gentleman instructs the court.
His honour, rejoining with a few very grave and very legal remarks,
says they look very much alike, and are of one mother. He is a
little undecided, however, takes another good stare at them, and
then adds his glasses, that the affinity may be more clear. Turning
again to his book, he examines his pages, vacantly. A legal wag, who
has been watching the trial for mere amusement, whispering in the
ear of his brother, insinuates that the presiding functionary is
meditating some problem of speculation, and has forgotten the point
at issue.
"No!" interrupts Mr. Petterwester, "your honour is curiously
labouring under an error; they have two mothers, both of the same
tenour in life--that is"--Mr. Petterwester corrects himself--"embodying
the same questions of property.
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