“That’s a bit queer. What do you suppose Dad thought I wanted of a place that size to live in?”
“I think your father was a man of considerable sentiment.”
“Eh?”
“Sentiment,” Barton repeated. “It was there you were born, and there your mother died.”
“Yes, that’s all correct; but––well, go on.”
“The rest of the document, if you insist upon a digest, consists principally of directions to the trustees. Briefly, it provides that we invest the remainder of the property in safe bonds and apply the interest to meet taxes on the aforesaid paternal domicile, to retain and pay the wages of the necessary servants, to furnish fuel and water, and to maintain the house in proper repair.”
“Well, go on.”
“In case of your demise––”
“You may skip my demise; I’m not especially interested in that.”