But I am awfully glad you have succeeded; because you had set your
mind on it, and the money will I hope make you quite comfortable. How
much was it after all mother? You never told me that."
"It is half of Mr. Penfold's estates, and of the money he had
invested, which is a very large sum, Ralph; although I do not know how
much."
"Half the estate! Why, it will make me quite a rich man. I never
dreamed it was anything like that. I thought most likely it was enough
to continue the allowance that he said he should make me. Why, mother,
it is tremendous! And what becomes of the other half?"
"That is left to Mabel Withers, Ralph. You two divide everything that
he left."
"Well, that certainly is rather hard upon his sisters," Ralph said;
"and I don't blame them for being against it. Though, of course, it
was not right to keep the will hidden."
"Mr. Penfold did not leave anything to them, because they are both
very well provided for. Their father left them a handsome sum at his
death; and as they have been living at the Hall ever since, and can
have spent nothing, they must be very amply provided for. Their
brother, therefore, naturally considered he was perfectly at liberty
to leave his property as he chose. I do not think the Miss Penfolds
have the slightest reason to grumble, after living as they have done
for the last twenty years at their brother's expense.
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