Hilary was very happy when he was able to move into the house. He felt like a sailor who has just reached port. He had only about sixpence in his pocket at the time. One thing was immediately clear: his aunt was seriously ill. She tried not to show it, but she was dying slowly . Hilary had a private talk with her doctor which frightened him greatly. The doctor told him that nothing could cure the old woman. She might live for a little long, but the end was certain. Hilary was very annoyed. Chance had found a home for him, and was now going to throw him out of it. Once again he would have to live alone in the hard world. There was only one thing that he could do. He chose an evening when his aunt was feeling better than usual. Then, very gently, he asked for details of her will. When she heard the word 'will', his aunt laughed loudly. "Have I made a will?" she said. "Yes, of course. I left all my money to a religious group in China. Or was it in Polynesia? I can't remember. I was very religious when I was a girl."
