Young Mr. Keefe by Stephen; Birmingham

…”
    â€œI don’t think Helen has any idea of doing anything like that,” Jimmy said.
    â€œWell, we never can tell,” Mr. Ames said. “Now, there is also the matter of alimony. Since the marriage was of such short duration, it seems incredible to us that alimony will be asked. However, since we may assume that Mrs. Keefe, Jun., has been apprised of some of the Keefe family—ah—holdings, she may get the idea that she can hold us up for a fancy figure—”
    â€œLook,” Jimmy said, “Helen’s not like that. She’s not a gold digger. She’s—”
    Mr. Ames held up his hand. “Ah,” he said, “we musn’t go into this with our eyes closed. You’d be surprised at some of the things a woman will do when she smells money.” He smiled at Miss Maitland, and Miss Maitland smiled back. “However,” he said, “we are prepared to make a reasonable offer—not large, but reasonable under the circumstances. It will, of course, be discontinued in the event of her remarriage. I would say it was likely that she will remarry, wouldn’t you?”
    Jimmy sat back in the leather chair. He felt his stomach tighten, and wondered if he was going to be sick.
    â€œTell him about the other business, Turner,” his father said.
    â€œAh, yes,” said Mr. Ames. “This is definitely on the pleasant side of the ledger, Jim. You have, from your grandfather’s estate, some shares of Keefe Company stock. That amounts to—let’s see”—he shuffled through his papers—“three hundred and fifty-one shares. Where that odd share came from, I can’t imagine. Ha ha,” he said. “Well, your father has worked out a very astute plan for you—”
    â€œNonsense, Turner, you worked it out,” his father said.
    â€œIn the interests of reducing some of his holdings, and reducing the size of his estate, your father is making available considerable amounts of this stock for purchase. Certain amounts are being offered to officers and executives of the company. I am flattered to say that your father has offered a portion of this stock to me. He will also arrange for you to purchase, on a regular, continuing, annual basis, additional stock from him. This purchase will be facilitated for you by means of an annual cash gift from your father. Unfortunately, Uncle Sam won’t let gifts of this sort be over a certain amount. But let me add that, through an accounting gimmick that we’ve worked out, your father will be able to sell his stock at a loss. This works to both your advantages. Now, I have here a cheque to your order signed by your father which, if you will endorse and make payable to the Keefe Company …”
    He had gone on, explaining about estates and trusts and taxes. He read a list of properties (“Lots 347, 348, and 350, Crescent Avenue … Lot 14 B , Hall Street … Lot 69, Hall Street, known as the Loew’s Theatre Building …”) which were being set aside in a separate trust, the income from which would be utilized to defray …
    Jimmy had stopped listening. Turner Ames passed papers to Miss Maitland, who glanced at them, passed them to Jimmy’s father for inspection, who passed them to Jimmy for his signature, who returned them to Mr. Ames. The documents circled around the room for nearly an hour. Then, when they were finished, they all stood up. Mr. Ames clapped a hand on Jimmy’s shoulder. “Well, my boy,” he said, “you may never be rich, but you’ll never be in the poorhouse, either. Ha ha.” He laughed, to imply that the path to the poorhouse would indeed be long and roadblocked by generations of corporate wizardry. “Going to stay in Somerville awhile?” he asked.
    â€œNo, I’m afraid this is just a two-week vacation,” Jimmy said. “I’ve got a job in California to get back to.”
    His