"Very probably."
"Then I hope you'll live better, or he won't stand it."
"When I require any advice from you, Joshua, I will apply for it," said his father.
Joshua inwardly hoped that his father would be appointed guardian, as it might make a difference in the family living; and, besides, if his cousin were rich, he meant to wheedle himself into his confidence, in the hope of future advantage.
"When shall you set out?" asked Mrs. Drummond.
"To-morrow morning, I think," said her husband. "It will be hard to leave, but it's due to my cousin's memory."
Mr. Drummond had become very punctilious all at once, considering that for the last dozen years Mr. Conrad, who had by no means admired him, had had little or no communication with him. But then he had died rich, and who knows what sort of a will he had left? At any rate, Jacob began to feel a strong interest in him now. He might have put off going to Willoughby till the morning train on the day of the funeral, for two o'clock was the hour fixed for the last ceremony; but he was in a hurry to learn all he could about the property, and secure, if possible, the guardianship for himself. This was the secret of his willingness to sacrifice time and money out of regard to his cousin's memory. The next day, therefore, he started, taking with him in his valise a lunch of bread and meat tied up in a piece of brown paper. He didn't intend to spend any more money than was absolutely necessary on tavern bills.
Shortly after his arrival, he called at the house of mourning.
"I am Jacob Drummond, of Stapleton, the cousin of the deceased," he explained to Nancy, who opened the door to admit him. "Is my young relative, Mr. Conrad's son, at home?"
"Yes, sir," said Nancy, taking an inventory of his features, and deciding that he was a very disagreeable looking man.