Hugh flushed and turned away. “If you think my word isn’t good I don’t care to borrow, thanks,” he said offendedly.
“Well, hold on now! I ain’t said I wouldn’t, have I? What you so het up about?”
“I don’t like to have you insinuate that I don’t keep my word, that’s all.”
“Tut, tut! Goodness me, but you’re a queer one! Five dollars, you said? Four wouldn’t do you?”
“I’ve got to make up twenty, Mr. Crump, and I’ve got eleven. I’ll be glad of four, of course, but I don’t know where I’m to get the rest. I tell you!” Hugh pulled his gold watch from his pocket and placed it, with the attached fob, in Mr. Crump’s hand. “That’s worth over a hundred. Would you very much mind letting me have nine dollars on it? I’d redeem it Saturday at the latest. I say, do that for me, will you?”
Mr. Crump looked admiringly at the watch. “My land, but that is a nice watch, ain’t it now? And a coat-of-arms on it, too! Worth a hundred, be it? I want to know! Well, I dare say it is. Here.”
He handed it back and Hugh accepted it disappointedly. “You won’t?” asked the boy. “If I shouldn’t come for it you could easily get fifty for it.”
“Could I now? Sakes alive, young man, I ain’t no pawnbroker! My folks has lived in this county for a hundred and seventy years. One of my ancestors fought with General Putnam; fought against you British he did. Here, you wait just where you be a minute. I’ll be back.”
Mr. Crump leaned his broom against the wall and shuffled away down the corridor until he came to the basement door. After that Hugh could hear his footsteps clap-clapping down the stairs. Then there was silence, save for the clatter of a typewriter in the office at the end of the hall. Hugh looked at his watch and made a grimace of despair. It was nearly four o’clock! He wondered whether Mr. Crowley would put him to a lingering death or would dispatch him quickly and mercifully! Then Mr. Crump came back.
“Here you be, young man,” he said importantly. “There’s nine dollars.” He counted them slowly into Hugh’s hand, two twos and five ones, all very soiled and creased. “I’m expecting you to pay it back to me like you said, because—— But I know you will,” he ended hurriedly. “I ain’t doubting your word, mind. I can see you ain’t like the rest of these scallywags here. Maybe it’s because you’re an Englishman and have more sense of decency.”