"She tells me—Well, her father died last month, it seems, and she is expecting something out of his estate...."
"Estate? Is there one?"
"Who can say? A man in that business! There might be something; there might be nothing or less. And it might take a year or more to get it."
"And if there is anything?"
"She says she will look after Albert's first year or two. I was about to refuse, but I expect I shall have to listen now."
He was silent. Then he broke out:—
"But there won't be. That old woman with her water-waves and her wrinkles is still hanging on; even if there should be anything, she would be the one to get most of it. I know her—she would snatch it all!"
"Listen, Raymond," I said; "you had better let me help you here."
"I don't want you to. There must be some way to manage."
He fell into thought.