"You are very kind, Philip; but you know everything I have is in the hands of trustees."
"Oh, bother trustees. The only thing they do is to keep your dividends down to the lowest amount possible and cut short your income. Come, you're quite old enough to judge for yourself. You might give them a jog. At your time of life they ought to take a hint from you."
"I have never done it, Philip, and they would pay no attention to me."
"Oh, nonsense, mamma. Why, except you, who has a right to be consulted except Nell? and if I, her husband, am your adviser——"
"I know they would do nothing but mock at me."
"Rubbish! I'd like to see who would mock at you. Just you send them to me, that is all."
"Philip, will you not believe me when I say that it is impossible? I have never interfered. They would ask what made me think of such a thing now."
"And you could tell them a jolly good opportunity, as safe as the bank, and paying six or seven per cent.—none of your fabulous risky ten or twelve businesses, but a solid steady—— How could it be to my interest to mislead you? It would be Nell who would be the loser. I should be simply cutting off my own head."
"That is true, no doubt——"
"And," he said, scarcely waiting for her reply, "Nell is really the person who should be consulted: for if there was loss eventually it would come upon her—and so upon me. I mean taking into consideration all the chances of the future: for it is perfectly safe for your time, you may be quite sure of that."