"I am glad to see you in such good spirits, Willis," she said. "If she only knew how I really felt," thought her stepson. But it was for his interest to wear a mask. "The fact is, mother," he said, "I feel very cheerful. I've made a little turn in stocks, and realized three hundred dollars." "Have you, indeed, Willis? I congratulate you, my son. No doubt you will find the money useful." "No doubt of that. If I had the capital, I could make a good deal more." "But there would be the danger of losing," suggested Mrs. Estabrook. "That danger is very small, mother. I am in a situation to know all about the course of stocks. I wouldn't advise another to speculate, unless he has some friend in the Stock Exchange; but for me it is perfectly safe." "Pray be careful, Willis." "Oh, yes. I am sure to be. By the way, mother, haven't you got some money in government bonds?" "A little," answered Mrs. Estabrook, cautiously. "How much, now?" "About a thousand dollars." "Let me manage it for you, and I will make it two thousand inside of a month." Mrs. Estabrook had a large share of acquisitiveness, but she had also a large measure of caution, which she had inherited from her Scotch ancestry. "No, Willis," she said, shaking her head, "I can't take any risk. This money it has taken me years to save. It is the sole dependence I have for my old age, and I can't run the risk of losing it." "But two thousand dollars will be better than one, mother. Just let me tell you what happened to a customer of ours: He had above five hundred dollars in the savings bank, drawing four per cent interest--only twenty dollars a year. He had a friend in the Stock Exchange who took charge of it, bought stocks judiciously on a margin, then reinvested, and now, after three months, how much do you think it amounts to?"