Ryley, now an orphan, was Susan's only child. As an act of charity John
Stanway had given Fred Ryley a stool in the office of his manufactory;
but, though Fred's mother was John's first cousin, John never
acknowledged the fact. John argued that Fred's mother and Fred's
grandfather had made fools of themselves, and that the consequences were
irremediable save by Fred's unaided effort. Such vicissitudes of blood,
and the social contrasts resulting therefrom, are common enough in the
history of families in democratic communities.

Old Ebenezer's will left the residue of his estate, reckoned at some
fifteen thousand pounds, to Meshach and Hannah as joint tenants with the
remainder absolutely to the survivor of them. By this arrangement, which
suited them excellently since they had always lived together, though
neither could touch the principal of their joint property during their
joint lives, the survivor had complete freedom to dispose of everything.
Both Meshach and Hannah had made a will in sole favour of John.

'Yes,' John said again, 'he's altered it in favour of young Ryley. David
Dain told me the other day. Uncle told Dain he might tell me.'

'Why has he altered it?' Leonora asked aloud at last.

John shook his head. 'Why does Uncle Meshach do anything?' He spoke
with sarcastic irritation. 'I suppose he's taken a sudden fancy for
Susan's child, after ignoring him all these years.'

'And has Aunt Hannah altered her will, too?'

'No. I'm all right in that quarter.'