He had some thoughts of buying her an annuity, but she seemed
so ill that he didn't. Edward was now twenty-two.
In the year 1888, Mr. Harper died after a very short illness. He had
expected Miss Crewe to die any day during the past thirteen years, but
since she hadn't he thought it proper now to recommend her to Edward's
care. This is how he did it.
"That confounded old Crewe, Eddie. You'll have to see to her. Let her
have her money as before, but for the Lord's sake don't go and buy her
an annuity now. If you do, she'll die on your hands in a week!" Shortly
afterwards the old gentleman passed away.
Edward was now thirty-five. Miss Crewe was sixty-seven and reported to
be in an almost desperate state. Edward followed his father's advice.
He bought no annuity for Miss Crewe. Her one hundred and fifty pounds
continued to be paid each year into her bank; but by Edward, not by his
late father's solicitors.
Edward had his own ideas of managing the considerable fortune which he
had inherited. These ideas were unsound. The first of them was that he
should assume the entire direction of his own affairs.
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