"He told me something like $500,000. I didn't know whether to believe
it or not That's a great sum of money, Sydney. I feel awfully queer
about the whole thing. Does it seem all right to you that he should
leave it all to mother just because of the little thing I did for him
this afternoon? I don't want to seem to feel that she oughtn't to have
it. But the whole thing seems so odd."

"Not nearly so queer as a great many wills that are made every day,"
rejoined Sydney. "But don't worry over it, Roy," he added with a
laugh. "You look as if you had been convicted of some crime. Remember
you haven't got the money yet, and may not have it for a great many
years to come."

"It isn't my money, Syd. It's to be left to mother."

"Well, if it hadn't been for you she wouldn't have it. But by the way,
you had better get home as soon as you can. I think mother is inclined
to worry about you from what Jess said. I can stay with the old man as
long as it is necessary."

"And I shan't say anything about that will, Syd. I'd rather you
wouldn't either, just yet."

"No, it is best to keep it as quiet as we can. It seems strange that
the old man should have talked so freely about it as he did."

The meal was soon finished, and the two starting to enter the bedroom,
met the doctor in the doorway.

"He's in a bad way," he whispered to Sydney. "I shall come back again