“And his name is Grimball,” said Stephen.
“He went,” explained Patch, “because Daddy’s all hotsy-totsy now as regards money.”
“You don’t suppose, do you,” said Henry, “that Uncle G.’s hoarded gold becomes ours in the flash of an eye? There are death duties, my child.”
“What are death duties?”
None of the Lampreys seemed to know the answer to Patch’s question. Even Henry, though vaguely depressing, was uninformed.
“Oh, well,” said Patch, “there’s always Aunt Kit’s money from the pearls she popped. Perhaps that’ll square the death duties.”
“Or pay for learned counsel to defend one of us,” said Frid.
“You would think of that, Frid,” said Henry.
“Well, let’s face it, one of us may—”
“ Pas pour le jeune homme,” said Colin.