'This is monstrous. My Lambert is a nephew every whit as much as you.'
'Yes, but you intervene. Such is the law.'
Mrs. Sidebottom was silent for a moment. Then she said irritably: 'I wish now, heartily, that there had been a will. I know what Jeremiah's intentions were, and I would grieve to my heart's core to have them disregarded. In conscience, I could not act differently from his wishes. If he omitted to make a will, it was because he knew nothing of law, and supposed that everything would devolve to me, his sister. Philip, knowing the rectitude of your principles, I am sure you will decline to touch a penny of your uncle's inheritance. You know very well that he never forgave your father, and that he always regarded his leaving the business as an acquittal of all further obligations towards him.'
'I must put you out of doubt at once,' said Philip. 'I shall most certainly take my share.'
'I do not believe that my brother died without a will. I never will believe it. It will turn up somehow. These old fogies have their odd ways. Perhaps it is at the mill in his office desk. What a world of contrarieties we do live in! Those persons to whom we pin our faith as men of principle are just those who fail us. However, to turn to another matter. I presume that I am in authority here. You have no caveat to offer against that?'
'None at all.'
'Then out go the Cusworths, and at once.'
'Not at once. That is indecent. If you will have it so, after the funeral give them notice. You must act with humanity.'
'The girl is insolent. She has the temerity to dispute my assertion that the dead man is Jeremiah.'
'She is justified in forming her own opinion and expressing it.'