“I have called on that reverend gentleman before I came to you,” said Fairfax, “and he quite meets with mine and Amy’s views. He will come up to town and see you himself in the morning at the City office. But in the mean time he sends his permission in this letter.”
Fairfax selected a paper from his pocket-book and handed it to Mr. Shelf. “I suppose you recognize the signature,” he said.
Shelf started, the paper rustling between his large white fingers. He had a sentence on the end of his tongue, but with an effort he swallowed it. Then, with a frown and a quick catching of the breath, he turned to the letter and read it through. As it chanced, Fairfax had seen that momentary look of disquiet, and being a young man of some penetration, he argued down to the reason of it. “Why,” he asked himself, “should the old hypocrite be upset when I ‘supposed he recognized his co-trustee’s handwriting?’ I’m bothered if I can see any definite reason, but there must be something pretty fishy somewhere. Theodore Shelf is not the man to let slip that kind of nervousness without some very excellent cause. I’m beginning to think that those of Amy’s interests which are in his hands will be none the worse for being a little looked after.”
Mr. Theodore Shelf glanced up from the letter. “Of course you understand,” he said, “that I cannot act upon an informal communication like this? My co-trustee is a most excellent Christian, but, I regret to say, a bad man of business.”
“Pernicious, to say the least of him. He seems to have the flimsiest notion of the use of paper and signatures. Still, he means entirely well, and that is why I do not want to worry him unduly. So, with permission, Mr. Shelf, and to take the burden of details off your shoulders as well as off his, I will instruct my own solicitor to see to all the preliminaries as to which stock will bear selling out of best.”
“You take it for granted,” said the shipowner sourly, “that I shall not put my veto on this scheme for spending my ward’s money.”
“Why should you? You have given your consent to the marriage, and whatever may be your personal feelings towards me, at any rate, you like her. She wishes to marry me, and intends to do that anyway; she wishes for this estate, and I do not see that you have any reasonable grounds for refusing to gratify her wish; besides, as an investment, the thing is as good as a first mortgage or Three per cent. Corporation Stock.”
“There are many grave objections to this course,” said Shelf.
“Then, perhaps,” said Fairfax, “you will tell me what they are?”
“I do not see that I am called upon to do anything of the kind.”