"Leave what to me, aunt?" For he had called her "aunt" in the old days, and often did so still.
"Eagles' Nest."
George Atkinson laid down the bundle of letters he was untying, and looked questioningly at the old lady, almost as though he doubted her words.
"I am sure you cannot mean that."
"Why not, pray?"
"Because it is a thing that you must not think of doing. You have near relatives in your brothers. It is they who should benefit by your will."
"My brothers can't both inherit the place," retorted the old lady.
"The elder of them can—Major Raynor."
"I like you better, George, than I like him."
"I am very glad you like me—but not that your liking should render you unjust to your family," he returned, firmly but gently. "Indeed, dear Mrs. Atkinson, to prefer me to them would be an act of the greatest injustice."