"He actually believed, I dare say, that he was assuring the girl's happiness by that ridiculous document.
But for mother I'd fight the thing in the courts and then give Molly her share outright and let her marry the miller." The lawyer shook his head slowly, with his eyes on Mrs.Gay.

"Before all else we must consider your mother," he answered.
For the first time Kesiah spoke.

"I am quite willing to take the girl when Reuben dies," she said, "but why in the world did he put in that foolish clause about her living with Jonathan and myself ?" Without looking at her Mr.Chamberlayne answered almost sharply.

"The whole truth of the matter is that there was a still more absurd idea in his mind, dear lady," he replied.

"I may as well let you know it now since I combated it uselessly in my last interview with him.