The little man took the copy of Silvanus Tellworthy's will and fumbled it between his fingers.
"Is this some dirty trick of lawyer's work?"
"It is."
"Do you really wish me to read it?"
"Unless you prefer me to explain."
"I do—vastly."
"Very well, then."
And Captain Runacles proceeded to explain the will in a hard, methodical voice, nodding his head whenever he reached a point of importance at the parchment which rustled between Captain Barker's fingers. For a while this rustle sounded like the whisper of a gathering storm.
"It follows from this," concluded Captain Runacles, "that I am responsible for the child's upbringing. Can you carry the reasoning a step farther?"
The little man looked up. The wrath had clean died out of his puckered face; and in place of it there showed a blank despair, mingled with loathing and unspeakable bitterness of soul.