Mr. Worboise had not known so much about his friend's affairs as he had pretended to his son. When he heard the amount, he uttered a slight "Whew!" But whether it meant that the sum fell below or exceeded his expectations, he gave Mr. Boxall no time to inquire.
"And how do you want the sum divided?" he asked.
"I don't want it divided at all. There's no occasion whatever to mention the sum. The books will show my property. I want my wife, in the case of her surviving me, to have the whole of it."
"And failing her?"
"My daughters, of course—equally divided. If my wife lives, there is no occasion to mention them. I want them to be dependent upon her as long as she lives, and so hold the family together as long as possible. She knows my wishes about them in everything. I have no secrets from her."
"I have only to carry out instructions. I have no right to offer any suggestions."
"That means that you would suggest something. Speak out, man."
"Suppose your daughters wished to marry?"
"I leave all that to their mother, as I said. They must be their own mistresses some day."