He drew forward a second armchair similar to the one in which he had been sitting and motioned Lucy to accept it.
“Your aunt was a worthy woman who will be profoundly missed in the community,” he continued in a droning voice. 250
Lucy did not answer. In fact the lawyer did not seem to expect she would. He was apparently delivering himself of a series of observations which came one after the other in habitual sequence, and which he preferred should not be interrupted.
“Death, however, is the common lot of mankind and must come to us all,” he went on in the same singsong tone, “and I hope that in the thought of your devotion to the deceased you will find comfort.”
Having now terminated the introduction with which he was accustomed to preface his remarks on all such occasions, he regarded the girl in the chair opposite him benignly.
“I was intending to come to see you,” he went on more cheerfully, and yet being careful to modulate his words so that they might still retain the bereavement vibration, “but you have forestalled me, I see. I did not wish to hurry you unduly.”
“I have been tired,” Lucy replied simply, “but I am rested now and quite ready to do whatever is necessary.”
“I am glad to hear that, very glad,” Mr. Benton returned. “Of course there is no 251 immediate haste; nevertheless it is well to straighten out such matters as soon as it can conveniently be done. When do you contemplate leaving town?”
Lucy met the question with a smile.
“Oh, I don’t intend to leave Sefton Falls,” she said quickly. “I have grown very fond of the place and mean to remain here.”