REV. MR. BATHOLOMMEY. No, no, no. She'll take your word for it. [Firmly.] Rose!
FREDERIK. [Reads.] "To Mr. Batholommey, my antique watch fob—with my profound respects." [Continues.] To Colonel Lawton—
MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. His watch fob? Is that what he left to Henry? Is that all? [As FREDERIK nods.] Well! If he had no wish to make your life easier, Henry, he should at least have left something for the church. Oh! Won't the congregation have a crow to pick with you!
FREDERIK. [Reading.] "To my life-long friend, Colonel Lawton, I leave my most cherished possession." [COLONEL LAWTON has a look on his face as though he were saying, "Ah! I'll get something worth while."
MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [Angrily.] When the church members hear that—
COLONEL LAWTON. [Chewing his cigar.] I don't know why he was called upon to leave anything to the church—he gave it thousands; and only last month, he put in chimes. As I look at it, he wished to give you something he had used—something personal. Perhaps the miniature and the fob ain't worth three whoops in Hell,—it's the sentiment of the thing that counts—[Chewing the word with his cigar.] the sentiment. Drive on, Fred.
FREDERIK. "To Colonel Lawton, my father's prayer-book."
COLONEL LAWTON. [Suddenly changing—dazed.] His prayer-book … me?
MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [Seeing FREDERIK lay down the paper and rise.] Is that all?
FREDERIK. That's all.