a fuss about it, he supposed he
must take it; but would rather not. Mark should have his own way, and
do just what he liked.

This was all very well, and Mark had fully made up his mind that his
brother should not be kept long out of his money. But then arose the
question, how was that money to be reached? He, Mark, was executor,
or one of the executors under his father's will, and, therefore, no
doubt, could put his hand upon it; but his brother wanted five months
of being of age, and could not therefore as yet be put legally in
possession of the legacy. "That's a bore," said the assistant private
secretary to the Lord Petty Bag, thinking, perhaps, as much of
his own immediate wish for ready cash as he did of his brother's
necessities. Mark felt that it was a bore, but there was nothing
more to be done in that direction. He must now find out how far the
bankers could assist him.

Some week or two after his return to Framley he went over to
Barchester, and called there on a certain Mr. Forrest, the manager
of one of the banks, with whom he was acquainted; and with many
injunctions as to secrecy told this manager the whole of his story.
At first he concealed the name of his friend Sowerby, but it soon
appeared that no such concealment was of any avail. "That Sowerby, of
course," said Mr. Forrest. "I know you are intimate with him; and all
his friends go through that, sooner or later." It seemed to Mark as
though Mr. Forrest made very light of the whole transaction.

"I cannot possibly pay the bill when it falls due," said Mark.

"Oh, no, of course not," said Mr. Forrest. "It's never very
convenient to hand out four hundred pounds at a blow. Nobody will
expect you to pay it!"

"But I suppose I shall have to do it sooner or later?"

"Well, that's as may be. It will depend partly on how you manage with
Sowerby, and partly on the hands it gets into. As the bill has your
name on it, they'll have patience as long as the interest is paid,
and the commissions on renewal. But no doubt it will have to be met
some day by somebody." Mr. Forrest said that he was sure that the
bill was not in Barchester; Mr. Sowerby would not, he thought, have
brought it to a Barchester bank. The bill was probably in London, but
doubtless would be sent to Barchester for collection. "If it comes in
my way," said Mr. Forrest, "I will give you plenty of time, so that
you may manage about the renewal with Sowerby. I suppose he'll pay
the expense