"What is it you want?" asked the mistress of the house dryly; she had followed her visitor in, and planted herself in front of him to examine him more closely.
"I have come to pawn something, that is all!" With this he drew from his pocket a flat old silver watch. A globe was engraved inside the lid, and the chain was of steel.
"But you have not repaid the sum I lent you before. It was due two days ago."
"I will pay you the interest for another month; have a little patience."
"I may have patience or I may sell your pledge at once, batuchka, just whichever I like."
"What will you give me on this watch, Alena Ivanovna?"
"That is a wretched thing, batuchka, worth a mere nothing. Last time I lent you two small notes on your ring, when I could have bought a new one at the jeweler's for a ruble and a half."
"Give me four rubles, and I will redeem it; it belonged to my father.
I expect some money soon."
"A ruble and a half! and I shall take the interest in advance."
"A ruble and a half!" protested the young man.