The phrase might have excited a smile.  Totty kept an even countenance and said she was sorry to hear it.

’Jusso!  He has been dead nearly a month, and he was ill nearly six.  I am appointed one of the executors by his will—­me and a friend of mine, Mr. Higgins.  I dare say you haven’t heard of him.  We’ve been putting your late uncle’s affairs in order.’

‘Have you?’ said Totty, because she had nothing else to say.

’We have.  I have come to see you, Miss Nancarrow, because you are interested in the will.’

‘Oh, am I?’

It was said with a kind of disinterested curiosity.  Mr. Barlow, having regarded her fixedly for a moment, bent his head till his forehead rested upon the umbrella, and seemed to brood.

‘Don’t you feel well, sir?’ Totty asked, with a naivete which betrayed her impatience.

‘Quite well, quite well.’

‘You was saying something about my uncle’s will.’

’Jusso!  Your name is in the will, Miss Nancarrow.  Your uncle has bequeathed to you the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds.’

‘Have you brought it with you, sir?’

‘The will?’

‘No, the money.’

‘My dear Miss Nancarrow, things are not done in that way,’ remarked Mr. Barlow, smiling at her ingenuousness.

‘How then, sir?’

’There are conditions attached to this bequest.  It is my duty to explain them to you.  I shall avoid the terms of the law, out of consideration to you, Miss Nancarrow, and try to express myself very simply.  I hope you’ll be able to follow me.’

Totty regarded him with wide eyes and smiled.

‘I’ll do my best, sir.’

‘Now please listen.’  He rested one elbow on his umbrella, and with the other hand made demonstrations in the air as he proceeded.  Throughout he spoke as one who addresses a person partly imbecile.

’This sum of two hundred and fifty pounds, Miss Nancarrow, is not—­ you follow me?—­is not to be given to you at once—­you grasp that?—­I am trustee for the money; that means—­attend, please—­ it lies in my hands until the time and the occasion comes for—­ mind—­for giving it to you.  You understand so far?’

’I shouldn’t mind a harder word now and then, sir, if it makes it easier for you.’

Mr. Barlow examined her, but Totty’s face was very placid.  She cast down her eyes, and watched her toes tapping together.

’Well, well; I think you follow me.  Now the conditions are these.  The money is payable to you—­payable, you see—­on your marriage.’

‘Oh!’

’I beg you not to interrupt me.  Is payable to you on your marriage, and then—­now pray attend—­not unless you obtain the approval of myself and of Mr. Higgins—­unless you obtain our approval of the man you propose to marry.’

‘Oh!’

‘You have understood, I hope?’

‘I shall marry who I like, sir,’ observed Totty, quietly.