"Is it likely?"
"It is possible. Again, Gerald may die within the next year-and-a-half. We should be personally liable then to the heirs."
"His father is one of them, his three aunts are the others--all our friends of long standing. From what you know of them, you can have no misgiving as to our old friend Ralph's doing what is right by those ladies. Had the testator been alive he could not but have been glad to confide them to the care of so good a fellow as his nephew Ralph."
"That is just where I must beg to differ. I knew old Gerald most intimately, and I have the best ground for being sure that he would not."
"There it is, Considine! You have always had a kind of grudge against me. You know you have," said Ralph.
"Not at all, sir. Search your memory, and I defy you to produce one token of ill-will. Did I not prove myself a useful friend at Natchez?"
"Never mind Natchez," growled Ralph sulkily.
"Did we not do business together for years after the war?--business by which you profited as much as I did? Have I ever made use of an unfriendly or disrespectful word in your presence?"
"You have thought and looked them; and you know it."
"Men are not held responsible for thoughts and looks. They cannot help them. But let us close all this at once. It is contrary to the letter of the will to do as you propose, gentlemen, and I will not take the responsibility. I believe, too, it will be for the young man's own interest that he should come into possession later, when his hands may be less trammelled by business engagements."