"That's what I want to ask you about, Uncle Hugh. I dare say you remember, when there was so much talk about that will of my aunt Ann's, that it was said I had a share in it." "Indeed, Frank, I don't. I remember I was told that she had not left anything to me; and I really remember no more." "Then you cannot tell me what the amount was?" exclaimed Frank, in accents of disappointment. "I thought perhaps Uncle Francis might have told you." Dr. Raynor shook his head. "I have no idea, Frank, whether it was one pound or one thousand. Or many thousands." "You see, sir, if I knew the exact sum, I could think about my plans with more certainty." "Just so, Frank. As it is, your plans must be somewhat like castles in the air." "I recollect quite well Uncle Francis telling me that I came in for a good slice. That was the exact phrase: 'in for a good slice.' He had read the will, you know. I wonder he did not mention it to you." "All I recollect, or know, about it is, that Francis wrote me word that nothing was left to me. He said he had remonstrated with Ann--your aunt--at leaving my name out of the will, and that she ordered him, in return, to mind his own business. I do not care for it myself; I do not, I am sure, covet any of the money Ann may leave; though I could have wished she had not quite passed over Edina." "She must have a good deal of money, Uncle Hugh, apart from Eagles' Nest." "I dare say she has." "And, if Uncle Francis comes in for that money, I should think he would make over half of it to you. I should, were I in his place." "Ah, Frank," smiled the doctor, "people are not so chivalrously generous in this world; even brothers." "I should call it justice, not generosity, sir." "If you come to talk of justice, you would also be entitled to your share, as Henry's son. He was equally her brother." "But I don't expect anything of the kind," said Frank. "Provided I have enough to set me up in practice, that's all I care for." "You would not have that until your aunt dies." "To be sure not. I am not expecting it before. But what has struck me is this, Uncle Hugh--I have been turning the thing over in my mind as I walked home--that I might, without any dishonour, reckon upon the money now." "In what way? How do you mean?" "Suppose I go to some old-established man in London who, from some cause or other--advancing years, say--requires some one to relieve him of a portion of his daily work. I say to him, 'Will you take me at present as your assistant, at a fair salary, and when I come into my money'--naming the sum--'I will hand that over to you and become your partner?' Don't you think that seems feasible, sir?" "I dare say it does, Frank." "But then, you see, to do this, I ought to know the exact sum that is coming to me. Unless I were able to state that, I should not be listened to. That's why, sir, I was in hopes that you could tell me what it was."