We went on speaking in the same calm way, but his tone was more acrid than before: 'Good! of course! It was only courteous of you! Quite so! But I think it will be well in the future to let me look after my own courtesy; as regards my signature at any rate.

You see, my dear boy, a signature is queer sort of thing, and judges and juries are apt to take a poor view of courtesy as over against the conventions regarding a man, writing his own name.

What I want to tell you is this, that on seeing that signature I made a new will.

You see, my estate is not entailed, and therefore I think it only right to see that in such a final matter justice is done all round.

I therefore made a certain provision of which I am sure you will approve.