“I understand. Forgive me,” she said. There was a slight pause. She rose to go. Suddenly Sylvester detained her.
“I may as well tell you what all the world will know soon. After paying these legacies there will be nothing left for the residuary legatee save Woodlands, and that is heavily mortgaged. I shall have to sell it.”
“Sell Woodlands!” She looked at him aghast. “Why, I thought Uncle Matthew was leaving you a small fortune. It was the dream of his life!”
“He has left me, thank God, an infinitely greater inheritance,” said Sylvester.
She did not question him, only looked at him blankly, dimly comprehending. Then she reverted to the more easily intelligible.
“But to sell Woodlands!” she reiterated. “Impossible! When we were tiny children, he used to talk of your living here after him. You must.”
“I haven't the money,” he said sadly.
“But I have. I'll buy it. I shall. You needn't laugh. Who in the wide world can prevent me?”
“My dear Ella,” he said with a smile, “how would that help matters? I could not live in your house.”
“Dorothy and Aunt Agatha could. You could rent it. There are many ways. Anyhow, Uncle Matthew would sooner have it in my hands than in a stranger's. I have made up my mind. It will be my first investment.”