LIV. THE WILL.
Characters.--SWIPES, a brewer; CURRIE, a saddler; FRANK
MILLINGTON; and SQUIRE DRAWL.
Swipes. A sober occasion, this, brother Currie. Who would have
thought the old lady was so near her end?
Currie. Ah! we must all die, brother Swipes; and those who live
the longest outlive the most.
Swipes. True, true; but, since we must die and leave our earthly
possessions, it is well that the law takes such good care of us. Had
the old lady her senses when she departed?
Cur. Perfectly, perfectly. Squire Drawl told me she read every
word of the will aloud, and never signed her name better.
Swipes. Had you any hint from the Squire what disposition she
made of her property?
Cur. Not a whisper; the Squire is as close as an underground
tomb; but one of the witnesses hinted to me that she had cut off
her graceless nephew, Frank, without a shilling.
Swipes. Has she, good soul, has she? You know I come in,
then, in right of my wife.
Cur. And I in my own right; and this is no doubt the reason
why we have been called to hear the reading of the will. Squire
Drawl knows how things should be done, though he is as air-tight
as one of your beer barrels. But here comes the young reprobate.
He must be present, as a matter of course, you know. [Enter
FRANK MILLINGTON.] Your servant, young gentleman. So
your benefactress has left you at last.
Swipes. It is a painful thing to part with old and good friends,
Mr. Millington.
Frank. It is so, sir; but I could bear her loss better
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