Anyhow, I am convinced that it was more to prevent Mrs.
Conway's son from getting this money than to get it themselves that
they have concealed this will, or rather that they refuse to point out
its place of concealment."
"But it does seem hard, papa, that Mr. Penfold should have left
everything to Ralph and me and nothing to his sisters."
"The Miss Penfolds have a very comfortable income of their own, Mabel,
and their brother might very well have thought there was no occasion
for them to have more; beside, although they lived in his house, and
indeed managed it and him, Mr. Penfold had, I know, strong reason to
believe that they had ruined his life. But this is a matter into which
we need not go. Well, Mabel, the Miss Penfolds have just given a proof
that they do not dislike you. Now I will read you this letter, because
I think you ought to know it has been written, and I will then tell
you the reasons why your mother and I think that the offer cannot be
accepted."
Mabel listened in silence until her father had finished the arguments
he had used with his wife, with the exception only of that relating to
the Miss Penfolds' motives in putting in the condition concerning
Mabel's marriage. When he ceased speaking she exclaimed indignantly,
"Of course, papa, we could not take the money, not if it were ten
times as much! Why, we could not look Mrs.
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