Synopsis

THE WILL ITSELF "Suppose you tell me all about it, Mr. Hollopeter!" said Mr. Bliss. Mr. Homer Hollopeter sighed deeply; wiped his brow with a sky-blue article, evidently under the impression that it was a pocket-handkerchief; sighed again yet more deeply on perceiving that it was a necktie; put it back in his pocket, and looked plaintively at the minister. "I should be pleased to do so, Mr. Bliss," he said. "It would be—a relief; a—an unburdening; an—outlet to imprisoned nature." "You see," the little minister went on soothingly, "our dear old friend's death occurring while I was away, and I returning only just in time for the funeral, I have not really heard the particulars yet. I might—that is—Mrs. Weight kindly called on me last evening, probably with a view to giving me some information, but I was unable to see her, and I should prefer to hear from you how it all happened." "Yes—a—yes!" said Mr. Homer, nervously. "Mrs. Weight is a—a person—a—in short, she is a person not connected with the family. Well, Mr. Bliss, the end came very suddenly; very suddenly indeed. It was a great shock; a great—blow; a great—unsettling of the equilibrium of daily life. The vil...