"Do you know what I've come over for?" he asked abruptly.
"On business, I suppose," she answered idly.
"Yes. Uncle John sent for me, to ask if I had any idea of mamma's intentions. And then there were papers to sign."
"Papers?" she looked alarmed.
"Yes. I think you might as well know. But we're not to discuss it with her, understand. She's disposing of all her property."
"Why, Elly!"
"It's divided into thirds. One-third to me, one-third to you, and the other third cut up into servants' legacies, one or two charities and enough for herself to give her a hundred pounds a year."
"Pounds?"
"It's in English securities. It looks as if she meant to live in England. Uncle John asked if he might tell us, and she said only on condition that we didn't discuss it. She meant to travel for some years, she said, and she had arranged to have us notified immediately in case of any accident or difficulty. She expected to write occasionally, too, she said. You know how mamma is—she simply hypnotised the old gentleman."
"Why, Elly! you don't think her mind..."