ThomasofferedtheDeadFatheradotboundinbluepaper.

    Whatisit?

    Readit,Thomassaid.

    Itwasawill.

    Itisawill,theDeadFathersaid,whose?

    Wethoughtitbestthatyoutaketheprecaution,Thomassaid.Manypeopleareielyprepared.

    Idontwanttomakeawill,saidtheDeadFather.

    stomakeawill,saidThomas.Stillitisaprudehatwethoughtyououghttotake,inyourwisdom.

    Mywisdom,saidtheDeadFather.Infinite.Unmatched.Still,Idontwanttomakeawill.

    Prudendwisdombeingtwoofyourstrosuits,Thomassaid.

    Dashmywig!saidtheDeadFather,Illnotdoit.Imtooyoung.

    Thomaslookedupintothesky.

    Ofcourseitsentirelyuptoyou,hesaid.Ifyouwishtoleaveyouraffairsinrottenmishmashycluttersomedisarray...

    Imtooyoung!theDeadFathersaid.

    Ofcourseyouare,saidThomas,soareweall.Yetthereisaveininyouthatmaypopatanytime.Ihaveidentifiedit.Runsuptherightlegandwhoknows,whoknowswhereitwandersafteritleavestheleg.Lurkingpotentialembolismsme.Idontwantthtenyou,butyougetthepicture.

    BytheHolyGoat,theDeadFathersaid,Iwillnot.

    Thomaswavedhishandsintheairsuggestingexhaustedpatienddisiedpursuitofwhat-is-right.

    WhoshallIleaveitto?theDeadFatherasked.Whoisworthy?

    Ishouldsay,noone.Perhapsthenation.Thefirststepistheiory.yougivemesomeideaofwhattheestatesistsof?

    Vast,saidtheDeadFather.Ihavenoidea.sultmysteward.

    Yourstewardhasbeego,saidThomas.

    Luke?Lukegone?Onwhoseauthority?

    Itwasthoughtbest,Thomassaid.

    Thenwhoislookingafterthings?