“Who are the trustees?” asked Clarinda.
“I have the honor of being one of them, and the Safety and Guarantee Trust Company is the other.”
“Is Peter’s left in trust?” she asked.
“Oh no,” he replied, with a look of astonishment. “Men as a rule do not need trustees. They have more experience.”
“I just wanted to know.” Clarinda’s voice carried a peculiar tone. The lawyer looked at her searchingly. Peter turned his eyes towards her. Her mother sat in the same gloom and the same lack of understanding of what was taking place. Her mind only grasped the idea that in some way she was provided for, that this will had made her independent. Through her mind fled visions of what she would do, she even thought she would like to travel.
“That is all?” asked Clarinda, as she moved away from the table after laying the will upon it.
“I believe so,” answered the lawyer. Apparently not quite certain of himself. Clarinda’s manner broke in upon his usual method of carrying forward proceedings of the kind. He was upset, he could not exactly define why.
Clarinda bowed to him and nodded her head to her mother. She went out of the room and left them still sitting. Her mother was nonplussed. Peter did not go after her.
Clarinda entered the car, and ordered the driver to take her back home.
V