At length Mrs. Bradford's curiosity was set at rest—but alas! not her mind—by the reading of the will.
It set forth that inasmuch as the testatrix had only a life interest in a principal sum of twelve hundred pounds, that amount would be equally divided between her four daughters, in accordance with their father's will. That previous to, and during her widowhood, she had saved a sum of two hundred and fifty pounds. Of this she left ten pounds to her eldest daughter, Ann, "because she is better off than her sisters, and has had more from me at various times. Beside which, she has told me that she did not look for another penny from me, so she will receive, by her own showing, more than she expected or desired."
To her daughters Eliza and Martha, fifty pounds each were left, and certain articles of furniture and clothing were to be allotted to each, as well as to Margaret, by way of keepsakes, Ann having already asked for and received her full share. Then, after the payment of funeral expenses and all just debts, the remainder of the money, and whatever further sum might accrue from the sale of the furniture, was left absolutely to Margaret, youngest daughter of the testatrix and wife of Adam Livesey, of Millborough, Lancashire.
"There are no debts, I believe, except those for the funeral and the doctor's bill, and they will be nearly met by the club moneys. So that you, Mrs. Livesey, may reckon on coming into the hundred and forty pounds, beside something from the furniture. There will be Government duties to pay, of course, but near relationship lightens these," said Mr. Collinge, as he folded up the will.
The scene which followed was not pleasant, though the two sisters Eliza and Martha showed no disappointment, but tearfully owned it was good of mother to have denied herself and worked to leave them all a bit extra, when she might have spent every penny, and no blame to her. For their parts, they were content for Margaret to have more than themselves, for it was true that mother had done many a thing for those that were near at hand, and nothing for her that had least to do with and most to do for.
It gladdened Margaret's heart to hear these words, for she had started from her chair, on being made acquainted with the terms of the will, and looked from one to another, as if she could hardly believe them true.
She took in their meaning when she remembered her mother's oft-repeated expression, and the last on her lips, "I've made amends."
Margaret had to hear some fierce cruel words of reproach, all the more cruel because untrue and undeserved, from her eldest sister, whose disappointment and anger knew no bounds.
"So this is what you came for!" she cried. "It was to tell stories and undermine me with poor mother, that you left your husband and children for all this while, was it? I wondered, and so did other folks, that you could stop away; but you thought it would pay you. And it has, seemingly, for you've robbed us all of our rights, and me most of all. But your tricks will come by you main. 'Ill-gotten, soon goes.'"
If Margaret had not been equally overcome by the thought of her mother's kindness, and her way of making amends, and astonishment at Mrs. Bradford's sudden attack, she would perhaps have said words in reply that she would have been sorry for afterwards.