After she
reaches the age of twenty-one she can do as she pleases.'" Mr.
Hawkes folded up the will with the air of a man who had finished an
important duty.
Alaric burst out with:
"I don't see how that clause interests us in the least, Mr. Hawkes."
The lawyer removed his pince-nez and looking steadily at Mrs.
Chichester said:
"Now, my dear Mrs. Chichester, it was Mr. Kingsnorth's wish that the
first lady to be approached on the matter of undertaking the
training of the young lady should be--YOU!"
Mrs. Chichester rose in astonishment: "I?"
Alaric arose in anger: "My mother?"
Ethel quietly pulled "Pet's" ear and waited.
Mr. Hawkes went on quietly:
"Mr. Kingsnorth said, 'he would be sure at least of his niece having
a strict up-bringing in the best traditions of the Kingsnorths, and
that though his sister Monica was somewhat narrow and conventional
in ideas'--I use his own words--'still he felt sure she was
eminently fitted to undertake such a charge.' There--you have the
whole object of my visit. Now--will you undertake the training of
the young lady?"
"I never heard of such a thing!" cried Mrs. Chichester furiously.
"Ridiculous!" said Ethel calmly.
"Tush and nonsense," with which Alaric dismissed the whole matter.
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