"That codicil revoked the will which left the estate to you. It gave it to him."
"But the codicil vanished," answered John.
"True. I was present at the consternation it excited. It disappeared in some unaccountably mysterious way; but there's no doubt that Mr. Verner died, believing the estate would go in its direct line—to Lionel. In fact, I know he did. Therefore you ought to act as though the codicil were in existence, and resign the estate to Lionel Verner."
The recommendation excessively tickled the fancy of John Massingbird. It set him laughing for five minutes.
"In short, you never ought to have attempted to enter upon it," continued Dr. West. "Will you resign it to him?"
"Uncle West, you'll kill me with laughter, if you joke like that," was the reply.
"I have little doubt that the codicil is still in existence," urged Dr. West. "I remember my impression at the time was that it was only mislaid, temporarily lost. If that codicil turned up, you would be obliged to quit."
"So I should," said John, with equanimity. "Let Lionel Verner produce it, and I'll vacate the next hour. That will never turn up: don't you fret yourself, Uncle West."
"Will you not resign it to him?"
"No, that I won't. Verner's Pride is mine by law. I should be a simpleton to give it up."