not you are willing to accept the trust and responsibility he has laid
upon you. As you doubtless know, the state provides a legal rate of
reimbursement for such services as yours will--or may--be. Ahem!"

"May be? You mean I ain't got to do this thing unless I want to?"

"Certainly. You have the right to renounce the various appointments, in
which case another executor, trustee, and guardian will be appointed.
I realize, and I'm sure that your brother's children will realize, your
hesitance in assuming such a responsibility over persons whom you have
never even met."

"Yes, I guess we'll all realize it; you needn't worry about that. Look
here, do the children know I'm elected?"

"Yes. Of course, the will has been read to them."

"Hum! I s'pose likely they was overcome with joy, wa'n't they?"

Graves bit his lip. Remembering the comments of Miss Caroline and
her brother when they learned of their uncle's appointment, he had
difficulty in repressing a smile.

"Well," he replied, slowly, "of course, one could scarcely expect them
to rejoice. They have never seen you. In fact, I doubt if either of them
knew their father had a brother, living."

"Y-e-e-s. That part don't surprise me. But the rest of it does. By the
miracles of the prophets! the rest of it does! That 'Bije--'Bije--should
leave his children and their money to ME to take care of is passin'