The Foster Portfolio Summary

The narrator, an investment counselor, receives a call from Herbert Foster, who asks for his services. The narrator sees that Foster's home is simple. Foster privately shows the narrator a list of securities left him by his grandfather two years ago, now worth seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

When the analysis for Foster's portfolio comes back, it is actually worth more than eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars. When the narrator drops the report off at Foster's house, only Alma is there. She says Herbert told her not to look at the report. Alma tells him about Herbert's father, who left Herbert and his mother. She says Herbert's father spent his time in bars, away from his family. Herbert was raised by his grandfather, who Alma believes died poor.

When Foster's portfolio is finished, the narrator itakes it...