He had scarcely spoken when Oliver entered the porch, accompanied by the four Lambleys, whom he had met strolling about lonely and uncomfortable, and he kindly offered to show them round the farm, not knowing what better he could do for them. They had just completed their tour; and though it was a beautiful farm, and in fine order, the Lambleys had walked over it without observing anything, being all the time engaged in inveighing bitterly to Oliver against their uncle. Oliver regarded them as so many Sinbads ridden by the Old Man of the Sea, and advised them to throw him off forthwith.
"Come in, Oliver," said Colonel Brigham; "you are wanted here."
Oliver entered the parlour, and the Lambleys remained in the porch and looked in at the windows, curious to know what was going on.
"Come in, all of you," said Mr. Culpepper.
They mechanically obeyed his summons, and entered the parlour.
Mr. Culpepper then took Oliver by the hand, and said to him in a voice tremulous with emotion, "Young man, in me you behold your grandfather."
Oliver changed colour, and started back, and Mr. Culpepper was deeply chagrined to see that this announcement gave him anything but pleasure. The story was briefly explained to him, and Mr. Culpepper added, "From this moment you may consider yourself as belonging to me. I like you—and I will leave my money to you rather than to found a hospital."
"You had better leave it to these poor fellows, that have been trying for it so long," said Oliver, bluntly.
The nephews all regarded him with amazement.
"Hear me, Oliver," said Mr. Culpepper; "It is not merely because you are my grandson, and as such my legal heir—unless I choose to dispose of my property otherwise—but I took a fancy to you the moment I saw you, when I could not know that you were of my own blood. As to those fellows, I have had enough of them, and no doubt they have had enough of me. I have towed them about with me already too long. It is time I should cut the rope, and turn them adrift. No doubt they will do better when left to shift for themselves."