“You've decided to stand the trial, I hear?” Mr. Sequin asked abruptly.
“Yes, I had to get the matter cleared up. It is all so idiotic, my being indicted! I don't anticipate any trouble.”
“You can't tell,” said Mr. Sequin, “but I didn't send for you to discuss the trial. It's business I want to talk about. Do you know how much stock you own in the People's Bank?”
“No, I can't say that I do exactly.”
“Well, it's time you were finding out. How would you like to take charge of your own affairs from now on?”
Donald looked at him in undisguised surprise. Heretofore the only time that money matters had been discussed between them was when he had been guilty of some extra extravagance. This sudden change of tactics on the part of his brother-in-law was disconcerting.
“Why, I shouldn't like it at all, unless it would relieve you,” he said.
“It isn't that. One bother more or less doesn't matter. The point is, I want you to act for yourself. The result of this trial is by no means certain; you may need considerable ready money before you get through with it. Why don't you sell your bank stock, and make some better paying investments on your own hook?”
“Why, I thought the bank stock—” began Donald, but Mr. Sequin wheeled upon him impatiently.
“Do you want my advice or not?”