we did not say anything. The only impatient member of our family was
my mother. She DID say things, and if old Trent had been here his
ears would have been red. She said what ridiculous nonsense it was
delaying the reading of the Will, and keeping the Heir waiting for
the arrival of an obscure person who wasn't even a member of the
family, inasmuch as he didn't bear the name. I don't think it's
quite respectful to one who is some day to be Head of the House! I
thought father was weakening in his patience when he said: "True, my
dear--true!" and got up and left the room. Some time afterwards when
I passed the library I heard him walking up and down.

Father and I went up to town on the afternoon of Wednesday, January
2. We stayed, of course, at Claridge's, where we always stay when we
go to town. Mother wanted to come, too, but father thought it better
not. She would not agree to stay at home till we both promised to
send her separate telegrams after the reading.

At five minutes to eleven we entered Mr. Trent's office. Father
would not go a moment earlier, as he said it was bad form to seem
eager at any time, but most of all at the reading of a will. It was
a rotten grind, for we had to be walking all over the neighbourhood
for half an hour before it was time, not to be too early.

When we went into the room we found there General Sir Colin MacKelpie
and a big man, very bronzed, whom I took to be Rupert St. Leger--not
a very creditable connection to look at, I thought! He and old
MacKelpie took care to be in time! Rather low, I thought it. Mr.
St. Leger was reading a letter. He had evidently come in but lately,
for though he seemed to be eager about it, he was only at the first
page, and I could see that there were many sheets. He did not look