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you?”
    â€œHello, Betsy, it’s John Penberthy. How are you today?”
    Penberthy was Betsy’s attorney, a young man of great ability with an office on Water Street.
    â€œExcept for being in danger of going broke, I’m fine, thank you. What’s up?”
    â€œThis may cheer you up. I’ve got some more figures for you on the estate. Thanks to a healthy stock market, it looks as if the final numbers will be closer to three million than two and a half. The first million is now exempt from inheritance taxes, but the rest will be taxed at forty percent.”
    â€œForty percent, huh?” Was that good or bad? Betsy hadn’t earned the inheritance, but neither had the government.
    â€œIt also appears that certificates of deposit, money market accounts, and other assets are generating between twenty-five hundred and three thousand dollars a month, which Margot was using as income. I assume you will want to continue that, and meanwhile, the money is being put into an interest-bearing account. Not a very high interest, I’m afraid, as I’m sure you will want it to be accessible as soon as the estate is closed.”
    So that was how Margot kept the shop in the black, by not paying herself a salary. “Yes, please,” said Betsy, stifling an impulse to shout, “How soon can I put my hands on that money?” Instead she said, “I got your last letter, where you put in writing what you told me about the stocks and bonds, and I thank you. I’m getting better at this, but I’m afraid I don’t understand what you said about a silent partnership Margot was in. I can’t find any record of it at the courthouse. I wondered if perhaps you were acting as her representative so her name wouldn’t appear.”
    â€œOh, no, I couldn’t represent her in that way. Why don’t you stop by my office today or tomorrow, and I’ll show you the file? You may find it amusing.”
    â€œIs it a lot of money?” asked Betsy.
    â€œIt’s an irregular income, and right now there’s not much action. But it is going to pay off majorly in short order.”
    â€œWhat is it, interest in a gambling casino?”
    Penberthy laughed, but he only insisted Betsy should be looking at the file while he explained. “If I may make one more suggestion?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œI think you should consider making a will. You said there are no relatives, so it would be a shame if you died without one and the government got everything, after the time and effort we’ve spent keeping them from taking most of it. Name a favorite charity or give some friends a happy surprise. I will, of course, be very pleased to talk to you about it when you are ready.”
    â€œAll right,” said Betsy. “I’ll think about it.” She hung up.
    After she settled back into her project, Betsy said to Godwin, “It’s different when you really become rich. I mean, instead of daydreaming about it. In the dream you get huge checks every week, which you cash and spend. In the real world, there are IRAs and investment properties and nonexempt bonds and taxes. I’m just grateful I have Mr. Penberthy to help me through it all.”
    â€œWell, I’m sure he’ll be equally glad to hand you a substantial bill when you start getting those huge checks,” said Godwin. “And may I add just one little point of my very own? Connect the fact that you’re an heiress to the money problems you are having with Crewel World. Probate’s about finished, isn’t it? You could have stopped paying some of your bills last month, you know. Because well before your distributor refuses to ship any more DMC cotton floss to this address, you could buy that distributor and fire his smelly old credit manager.”
    Betsy smiled. “I would love to believe that,” she said.
    â€œBelieve it,” said Godwin. “About money, I am always