Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. III, 1889.djvu/183

Rh “Well, what is it?”

“My boy, we are all mortal. I dare say you’ve heard that observation before; can you apply it to any particular case?”

Scawthorne was startled; he delayed a moment before speaking.

“You don’t mean to say”

“Exactly. Died a couple of hours ago, after lying insensible all day, poor old man! I’ve just written your people a formal announcement. Now, what do you think of that? If you don’t mind, old fellow.”

He filled himself another glass, and tilted it off as before. Scawthorne had dropped his eyes to the ground, and stood in meditation.

“Now, what about the will?” pursued Joseph.

“You haven’t looked for it?” questioned his friend, with an odd look.

“Thought it more decent to wait a few hours. The girl was about, you see, and what’s more, my wife was. But have you heard anything since I saw you?”

“Why, yes. A trifle.”

“Out with it! What are you grinning about? Don’t keep me on hot coals.”

“Well, it’s amusing, and that’s the fact.