“Yes.” Latimer turned determinedly to Judith. “Your husband sold your Troy Valve bonds at somewhat of a sacrifice.”
Mrs. Hale caught the words and looked at her daughter in open consternation.
“Judith! You haven’t parted with the bonds your grandfather left you?” she exclaimed.
“Yes.” Judith tossed down her napkin and pushed back her chair. “Joe and I decided that this was the time to invest in Liberty Bonds.” Her charming smile disarmed criticism. “Besides, industrials are dangerous investments.”
“Fiddlesticks!” ejaculated Mrs. Hale with indignant emphasis. “You know what General Hale thought of his Valve bonds and how carefully he portioned them out among us in his will. Your father will be seriously displeased, Judith.”
“Not when I tell him that the bonds are already depreciating in value,” responded Judith quietly. “They are depreciating, Frank, are they not?” Her emphasis on the verb arrested Latimer’s attention and quickly he caught his cue.
“Liberty Bonds are a better investment,” he stated, “especially just now. You”—he smiled at Mrs. Hale—“are putting your money in Liberty Bonds.”
But Mrs. Hale was not appeased. “I am not selling valuable bonds,” she retorted. “The money I invest in Liberty Bonds is the income from other sources. What did you realize on your bonds, Judith?”
Judith’s brow wrinkled in thought, then she turned to Frank. “I have a poor head for figures,” she admitted softly. “What did Joe get for the bonds, Frank?”
Latimer eyed her thoughtfully. “We paid Joe $1,275, less commission. The bonds bring $125 each.”