"Aunt asked me to write it, and of course I had to. I don't want to rub it in, George, but you deceived the old lady badly, and you've been a frightful slacker," replied Percy. "If it comes to deceit, I expect you put your best tomatoes on top of the basket," said George, opening a line of attack which made Percy cough uneasily, before he attempted to point out the difference between deceiving hostile tradesmen and affectionate relatives. "What do you propose doing?" he asked. "This is my home," replied George firmly. "Somebody must be here to look after Aunt Sophy, keep up the property, and look after the servants." "I suppose the place belongs to Aunt Sophy now, and in that case it will come to me," said Percy sternly. "Grab it all, old chap!" exclaimed George mockingly. "It's like this," said Percy sharply. "I'm one of the trustees of the Yard estate, and Hunter is the other. I dare say you have heard the aunts mention Hunter; he's a partner in Martin and Cross, the family solicitors. I needn't go into the details of Mr. Yard's will, but of course you know Aunt Maria enjoyed only a life interest in her share. Aunt Sophy now inherits the lot, but she can't touch the capital, all of which comes to me at her death. That's the position." "And here's mine! Oblige me by running your eye over this, my dear chap," invited George, producing his aunt's will. Percy did so, frowning considerably, and when he had finished tried to mutter a few words of congratulation. "Not so bad," chuckled George. "The whole place is mine, and everything in it. Aunt Sophy is now my tenant." "There's no mention of the house," objected Percy. "Read this--'all I die possessed of.' The property belonged to aunt; left her by my uncle." "But she bought the ground and built the house," cried Percy. "Out of income," said the triumphant George. "I suppose you'll be sending this to Martin and Cross?" "It goes this evening by registered post. Aunt Sophy won't leave Highfield. She will be enjoying the use of my house and my furniture. In return she can give me board and pocket-money. Quite a decent scheme, old chap. Everybody satisfied! No grumblers!" "I didn't know anything about this will," muttered Percy. "You can't object to my staying here now--you can't order me out, my dear old chap. Nice little property, isn't it?" cried George riotously. Percy had not much more to say, especially as he seemed in a hurry to catch a train which would carry him towards London and Mr. Hunter's office. Immediately he had departed, Kezia approached and asked, "Can I speak to you vor a minute, please?" "Certainly," replied the prosperous George, following her into the dining room, where Bessie towered beside the table upon which reposed the sandalwood box taken from the late mistress's bedroom. George could not help noticing what a quantity of waste paper appeared to be lying about.