It was, accordingly, the law, in the state where Mary Erskine lived, that there should be three witnesses present, when any person signed a will; and also that when signing the paper, the man should say that he knew that it was his will.

If three credible persons thus attested the reality and honesty of the transaction, it was thought sufficient, in all ordinary cases, to make it sure.
Albert, it seems, was not aware how many witnesses were required.

When he requested Mrs.Bell to sign his will, as witness, he thought that he was doing all that was necessary to make it valid.

When, however, Mrs.Bell, afterwards, in going home, met Mr.Keep and related to him the transaction, he said that he was afraid that the will was not good, meaning that it would not stand in law.
The thought that the will was probably not valid, caused Mrs.Bell a considerable degree of anxiety and concern, as she imagined that its failure would probably cause Mary Erskine a considerable degree of trouble and embarrassment, though she did not know precisely how.

She supposed that the children's share of the property must necessarily be kept separate and untouched until they grew up, and that in the mean time their mother would have to work very hard in order to maintain herself and them too.