Francis read it over very carefully; and then looked up with an expression of undisguised satisfaction.
"I'm glad you put it that way," he said. "You leave it to us to act in accordance with our best judgment, whether it takes one year or twenty years. That leaves us free to dispose of securities to the best advantage, and not sacrifice them in a falling market."
"Yes, I was thinking of that investment you advised me to make a year ago."
Francis winced a little; for the old man probably knew how low a certain stock had fallen.
"I see you've named my brother back in Pennsylvania as one of the executors."
"Yes; as most of my heirs live in the East, I thought your brother could hunt them up, and let you do business through him."
"That is a good idea. But don't you think Hintzen and Haggerty ought to have a list of your property? If you should die, and they found on examining your books and papers that you had trusted me but not them, why, naturally, they would feel hurt."
"Well, Haggerty's an Irishman, and Hintzen's a Dutchman. You are an American like myself, and, what's more, a Democrat after my own heart. I want you to hold the funds."
"If you feel that way, I wish you wouldn't tell anybody. For if they knew I had money belonging to you people would suspect me of helping myself to it."
Francis had been rehearsing this speech for several days; but was now rather surprised that he had the nerve to utter it. But the old man trusted him. Was not Francis almost a son to him?