Back To Billabong, page 49 by Mary Grant Bruce
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the ghost of a smile. "She was deeply afraid of any of her property coming under the control of your father--and through him, of his wife. And so she tied up her money very carefully. She left direct to you and your sister certain assets. The rest of her property she left, in trust, to me."
"To you, sir?"
"Aye. Very carefully tied up, too," said Mr. M'Clinton, with a twinkle. "I can't make ducks and drakes of it, no matter how much I may wish to. It is tied up until your sister comes of age. Then my trust ceases."
"By Jove!" Bob stared at him. "Then--do we get something?"
"Certainly. Unfortunately, many of your aunt's investments were very hard hit through the war. Certain stocks which paid large dividends ceased to pay altogether; others fell to very little. The sum left to you and your sister for immediate use should have been very much larger, but all that is left of it is the small allowance paid to you both. I imagine that a smart young officer like yourself found it scarcely sufficient for tobacco."
"I've saved it all," said Bob simply. "A bit more, too."
"Saved it!" said the lawyer in blank amazement. "Do you tell me, now? You lived on your pay?"
"Flying pay's pretty good," said Bob. "And there was always Tommy to think of, you know, sir. I had to put something away for her, in case I crashed."
"Dear me," said Mr. M'Clinton. "Your aunt had great confidence in you as a boy, and it seems she was justified. I'm very glad to hear this, Captain, for it enables me to do with a clear conscience something which I have the power to do. There is a discretionary clause in your aunt's will, which gives me power to realize a certain sum of money, should you need it. I could hand you over about three thousand pounds."
"Three thousand!" Bob stared at him blankly.
"Aye. And I see no reason why I should not do it--provided I am satisfied as to the use you will make of it. As a matter of form I should like a letter from your commanding officer, testifyin