The bequest is not paying for a bell. The bequest is paying for a body, and it has been paying for one since 1861, and the ordinance says so in a clause about the ring.

MioneThe bell does not stop for a ringer who is only ringing. It stops for a ringer who has decided, and the decision is the payment.

CorvinaAnd a decision cannot be made by somebody who is still considering their options. You cannot decide to stay while you are thinking about leaving.

PorterSo the rope is a question. And the bell only stops when the answer is yes.