She was just about to open the door and go through when she heard loud voices.
“I tell you it’s not enough,” one, an American voice was saying.
“Alle samee, it’s all I can get.” The voice of the cook came to her in reply.
Nan stopped, startled. This, why, this verified Bess’s suspicions. Nan stood back and listened further, but heard nothing. She had come in on the end of the argument. Shortly, she heard a door slam on the other side of the kitchen, and then there were no more sounds at all.
She waited for some time, and then cautiously opened the door and went in.
Over in one corner, the cook, alone, was busy preparing the evening meal. He looked up as the girl entered, and was on the point of reprimanding her for invading his quarters when he stopped, recognizing her. He waited then, resentfully, for her to speak.
Nan was equally wary however, so there was a moment of embarrassed silence, before either said anything. Then, as they stood waiting, a call outside distracted their attention.
The cook answered it, and when he returned, they both felt more at ease. He brought her a stool to sit on and offered her some of his choice cookies, so before long they were talking to one another. They talked about little things, and Nan went away without mentioning the ring or the conversation she had heard at all.
But she went back the next day. Following this procedure it wasn’t long before the cook poured out his whole sorry tale.
Nan later, when she got Walker Jamieson alone, told it and swore him to secrecy.