"I guess the old man knows what's in the will," he said to himself. "He knows how to feather his own nest. I hope he's feathered mine, too."
Mr. Manning passed from his son's chamber and went softly upstairs, looking thoughtful.
Anyone who could read the impassive face would have read trouble in store for Frank.
CHAPTER IV
MRS. MANNING'S WILL
During the preparations for the funeral Frank was left pretty much to himself.
Mr. Manning's manner was so soft, and to him had been so deferential, that he did not understand the man. It didn't occur to him that it was assumed for a purpose.
That manner was not yet laid aside. His stepfather offered to comfort him, but Frank listened in silence. Nothing that Mr. Manning could say had the power to lighten his load of grief. So far as words could console him, the sympathy of Deborah and the coachman, both old servants, whom his mother trusted, had more effect, for he knew that it was sincere, and that they were really attached to his mother.