"He wished to visit the village where he was born,
and Bates, his companion and servant, went to Vermont
with him. He died quite suddenly, and was buried beside
his father in the old village cemetery. I saw him
last early in the summer. I was away from home and
did not know of his death until it was all over. Bates
came to report it to me, and to sign the necessary papers
in probating the will. It had to be done in the place of
the decedent's residence, and we went together to Wabana,
the seat of the county in which Annandale lies."
I was silent after this, looking out toward the sea
that had lured me since my earliest dreams of the world
that lay beyond it.
"It's a poor stake, Glenarm," remarked Pickering
consolingly, and I wheeled upon him.
"I suppose you think it a poor stake! I suppose you
can't see anything in that old man's life beyond his
money; but I don't care a curse what my inheritance is!
I never obeyed any of my grandfather's wishes in his
lifetime, but now that he's dead his last wish is mandatory.
I'm going out there to spend a year if I die
for it. Do you get my idea?"
"Humph! You always were a stormy petrel," he
sneered. "I fancy it will be safer to keep our most
agreeable acquaintance on a strictly business basis. If
you accept the terms of the will-"
"Of course I accept them! Do you think I am going
to make a row, refuse to fulfil that old man's last wish!
I gave him enough trouble in his life without disappointing
him in his grave. I suppose you'd like to have
me fight the will; but I'm going to disappoint you."
He said nothing, but played with his pencil. I had
never disliked him so heartily; he was so smug and
comfortable. His office breathed the very spirit of prosperity.
I wished to finish my business and get away.
"I suppose the region out there has a high death-rate.
How's the malaria?"
"Not alarmingly prevalent, I understand. There's a
summer resort over on one side of Lake Annandale.
The place is really supposed to be wholesome. I don't
believe your grandfather had homicide in mind in sending
you there."
"No, he probably thought the rustication would make
a man of me. Must I do my own victualing? I suppose
I'll be allowed to eat."
"Bates can cook for you. He'll supply the necessities.
I'll instruct him to obey your orders. I assume
you'll not have many guests,-in fact,"-he studied the
back of his hand intently,-"while that isn't stipulated,
I doubt whether it was your grandfather's intention
that you should surround yourself-"