Knowing the wrong she had done to Andy and his mother, as well as the town, she was unnecessarily anxious to appear perfectly fair, and assured Squire Tisdale that, had there been a will, its provisions should have been carried out to the letter.
"There is no will here," said the squire, after a careful search.
"I did not expect you would find one," said the widow; "but it was necessary to make sure." "Is there any other place where your husband kept papers ?" "We will look in the drawers and trunks," said Mrs.Preston; "but I don't think any will be found." None was found.
"Can I do anything more for you, Mrs.Preston ?" asked the squire.
"I should like your advice, Squire Tisdale.

I am not used to business, and I would like the aid of your experience." "Willingly," said the squire, who felt flattered.
"As my husband left no will, I suppose the estate goes to my son and myself ?" "Undoubtedly." "How ought I to proceed ?" "You should apply for letters of administration, which will enable you to settle up the property." "Will you help me to take the necessary steps ?" "Certainly." "I should like to settle the estate as rapidly as possible, as I intend to remove to Boston." "Indeed?
We shall be sorry to lose you.

Can you not content yourself here ?" "Everything will remind me of my poor husband," said Mrs.Preston, with another application of the handkerchief to her still tearless eyes.
Squire Tisdale was impressed with the idea that she had more feeling than he had thought.
"I didn't think of that," he said, sympathetically.

"No doubt you are right." Mrs.Preston lost no time in applying for letters of administration.
"As soon as I get them," she said to herself, "I will lose no time in ejecting that Irishwoman from the house my husband bought for her.
I'll make her pay rent, too, for the time she has been in it.".