"But the kind man kept the necklace, I suppose."
"Of course he kept the necklace. You would not have me borrow money from a stranger, and leave him nothing?"
"No; I would not have you do that. But why not borrow from one who is no stranger?"
"I do not want to borrow at all," said Nina, in her lowest tone.
"Are you ashamed to come to me in your trouble?"
"Yes," said Nina. "I should be ashamed to come to you for money. I would not take it from you."
He did not answer her at once, but walked on slowly while she kept close to his side.
"Give me the jeweller's docket," he said at last. Nina hesitated for a moment, and then he repeated his demand in a sterner voice. "Nina, give me the jeweller's docket." Then she put her hand in her pocket and gave it him. She was very averse to doing so, but she was more averse to refusing him aught that he asked of her.
"I have got something to tell you, Anton," she said, as soon as he had put the jeweller's paper into his purse.
"Well — what is it?"