"Is it going to be too extravagant?" Frank insinuated artfully.
Huckins gave the lawyer a look, dropped his eyes and mournfully shook his head.
"The poor woman would not have liked it," he muttered; "but one must be decent towards one's own blood."
VII.
THE WAY OPENS.
Frank succeeded in having Mr. Dickey appointed as Custodian of the property, then he went back to Marston.
"Good-evening, Doctor; what a nest of roses you have here for a bachelor," was his jovial cry, as he entered the quaint little house, in which Sellick had now established himself. "I declare, when you told me I should always find a room here, I did not realize what a temptation you were offering me. And in sight——" He paused, changing color as he drew back from the window to which he had stepped,——"of the hills," he somewhat awkwardly added.
Edgar, who had watched the movements of his friend from under half lowered lids, smiled dryly.
"Of the hills," he repeated. Then with a short laugh, added, "I knew that you liked that especial view."
Frank's eye, which was still on a certain distant chimney, lighted up wonderfully as he turned genially towards his friend.