I was so bewildered, I stood and looked, wondering whatever he could mean.
"Don't you understand yet?" said he, his face falling.
"No," I said. "Something that I have!"
"Your watch!" says he, half in a whisper.
"My watch!" I said; and what he meant began to dawn on me. It made me feel queer, I can tall you.
"If you could, just for a few days or so," said he, and he spoke pleading-like. "Is that so very much to do for a friend, Kitty? It's only the loan I ask. You see, I could raise a few pounds on that watch, for the moment, just to tide me through; and then in a few days or so I would buy it back all right from the—the jeweller—and get it back to you. There'll be money coming in soon, one way and another, only I can't wait for that. If I haven't a few pounds now, either to-night or to-morrow morning, I don't know whatever I'm to do. I can't stand telling Mary, and that's flat. If I can't get the money, I can't go home, and then you'll never see nor hear of me again, Kitty!"
I felt a cold chill all through me at the thought.
"Oh, don't say that, please don't!" I begged. "It sounds too dreadful. I do wish you hadn't used up the money."
"Why, Kitty, as if I hadn't the right!" says he, quite short.
But had he the right? For strictly the money was not his. If he knew himself to have the right, and to be doing right, why should he mind speaking out to Mary? I tried not to see this, for I didn't want to blame him.