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18

Not that it matters

Nothing matters now.

No—Mother was n’t ever the kind to neglect things; if the worst does come she ’ll find herself prepared. Won’t she? Won’t she, Judge?

Her affairs are, as usual, in perfect order.

In every way?

(looks at him coldly)

Her will is drawn and is on deposit in my office, if that is what you mean.

Well—that is what I mean—I ’m no hypocrite.

He ’s the oldest of the family. He ’s got a right to ask, has n’t he?

Yes.

(honestly)

If I could make her well by givin’ up everything I ’ve got in the world, or ever expect to git, I ’d do it!

All of us would.

If it ’s in my mind at all, as I stand here, that she ’s a rich woman, it ’s because my mind ’s so worried, the way business has been, that I ’m drove most frantic; it’ s because, well—because I ’m human; because I can’t help it.