"If I follow you, Miss Tinker, you are desirous, for your friend Lucy's sake, to help my client with money to carry on this unfortunate litigation. Have you any idea what the costs may amount to?" "Not the slightest. But that doesn't matter. The money shall be found." "I've another question to ask, Miss Tinker, and a very delicate one. May I ask how old you are?" "And this is the man that can't say Boh! to a goose," again thought Dorothy. "I suppose if I'd assurance enough for a lawyer I should tell you I'm as old as my tongue and a little older than my teeth," replied Dorothy merrily. "That's exactly what I'm driving at," was the reply very seriously uttered. "I'm not at all sure that I should be justified in taking your money without my client's knowledge and consent even if you were of full age, but from a minor!" "Pshaw, I sha'n't be a minor all my life. I shall be twenty one next birthday, and that's on May 21st." "There's many things may happen between now and your birthday.'' "Exactly, your client may be ruined and Lucy may be broken-hearted, and all because of a silly punctilio." "Have you a copy of your father's will." "Ah! Now you're talking. I haven't; but I suppose one can be procured. I should like to see one any way, for even a woman may be allowed a little curiosity as to her own fortune. After all, I may be as poor as a church mouse. But you can find out that for me and have no qualms, I hope." "Oh, yes, I shall be pleased to get you a copy of the will. I apprehend that you come to your inheritance in the general way." "And that is?" "If and when you attain the age of twenty-one years, or marry under that age. By the way, that suggests one simple solution of the difficulty, you might marry." "Oh! That's out of the question." "Not for, ahem!"--the young lawyer raised his long white hand to his mouth and coughed very slightly "not for Lucy's sake?" Dorothy rose with some dignity to close the interview. "Let me know please when have got the copy of the will. Meanwhile, I suppose I can rely on your discretion," and Dorothy made to go. "Nay, Miss Tinker, you have not permitted me to say my say. I am well aware that Mr. Pinder is a poor man. I am also a poor man. I had not intended to trouble my client in the event of defeat for more than the actual costs out of pocket. Those I couldn't afford to advance. If you give me your simple word that these shall be paid sooner or later by someone, no matter who," and here there was the barest suspicion of a twinkle in the young man's eyes as he added, "or for whose sake, rest assured I shall not allow Mr. Pinder's cause to fail for want of professional assistance. More I cannot promise."