§5
Lady Harman’s mind was so greatly exercised by Susan Burnet’s voluminous confidences that it was only when she returned to her own morning room that she recalled the pawning problem. She went back to Sir Isaac’s study and found Susan with all her measurements taken and on the very edge of departure.
“Oh Susan!” she said.
She found the matter a little difficult to broach. Susan remained in an attitude of respectful expectation.
“I wanted to ask you,” said Lady Harman and then broke off to shut the door. Susan’s interest increased.
“You know, Susan,” said Lady Harman with an air of talking about commonplace things, “Sir Isaac is very rich and—of course—very generous.... But sometimes one feels, one wants a little money of one’s own.”
“I think I can understand that, my lady,” said Susan.
“I knew you would,” said Lady Harman and then with a brightness that was slightly forced, “I can’t always get money of my own. It’s difficult—sometimes.”
And then blushing vividly: “I’ve got lots of things.... Susan, have you ever pawned anything?”
And so she broached it.
“Not since I got fairly into work,” said Susan; “I wouldn’t have it. But when I was little we were always pawning things. Why! we’ve pawned kettles!...”
She flashed three reminiscences.
Meanwhile Lady Harman produced a little glittering object and held it between finger and thumb. “If I went into a pawnshop near here,” she said, “it would seem so odd.... This ring, Susan, must be worth thirty or forty pounds. And it seems so silly when I have it that I should really be wanting money....”
Susan displayed a peculiar reluctance to handle the ring. “I’ve never,” she said, “pawned anything valuable—not valuable like that. Suppose—suppose they wanted to know how I had come by it.”
“It’s more than Alice earns in a year,” she said. “It’s——” she eyed the glittering treasure; “it’s a queer thing for me to have.”
A certain embarrassment arose between them. Lady Harman’s need of money became more apparent. “I’ll do it for you,” said Susan, “indeed I’ll do it. But——There’s one thing——”
Her face flushed hotly. “It isn’t that I want to make difficulties. But people in our position—we aren’t like people in your position. It’s awkward sometimes to explain things. You’ve got a good character, but people don’t know it. You can’t be too careful. It isn’t sufficient—just to be honest. If I take that——If you were just to give me a little note—in your handwriting—on your paper—just asking me——I don’t suppose I need show it to anyone....”
“I’ll write the note,” said Lady Harman. A new set of uncomfortable ideas was dawning upon her. “But Susan——You don’t mean that anyone, anyone who’s really honest—might get into trouble?”
“You can’t be too careful,” said Susan, manifestly resolved not to give our highly civilized state half a chance with her.