“I know. I have been down there to look at him. I have been to see his solicitors.”
“You will get nothing from them without their client’s authority.”
“Well, you know the family affairs, of course. I suppose that a word from you authorising or advising the transfer of a few thousands—or hundreds—out of that enormous pile——”
“I have no right to authorise or advise. I know nothing about my great-grandfather’s affairs.”
“Tell me, dear boy, what about those accumulations? We mentioned them the other day.”
“I know nothing about them.”
“Of course, of course. I’m not going to put questions. The bulk of everything will be yours, naturally. I have no objection. I am not going to interfere with you. Only, don’t you think you could go to the people, the agents or solicitors, and put it to them, that, as a son of the House, I should like an advance of—say a thousand pounds?”
“I am quite certain beforehand they will do nothing for you.”
“You’re a better man of the world than I thought, my boy. I respect you for it. Nobody is to have a finger in the pie but yourself. And you look so damned solemn over it, too.”
“I tell you that I know nothing.”