"As I said, you may live for years; on the other hand, you may go very suddenly."
Peter Reid sat silent for a minute; then he broke out:
"Who am I to leave my money to? Tell me that."
He spoke as if the doctor were to blame for the sentence he had pronounced.
"Haven't you relations?"
"None."
"The hospitals are always glad of funds."
"I daresay, but they won't get them from me."
"Have you no great friends—no one you are interested in?"
"I've hundreds of acquaintances," said the rich man, "but no one has ever done anything for me for nothing—no one."