he is getting these desirable things.

Sec.5

Lady Harman's mind was so greatly exercised by Susan Burnet's voluminous
confidences that it was only when she returned to her own morning room
that she recalled the pawning problem. She went back to Sir Isaac's
study and found Susan with all her measurements taken and on the very
edge of departure.

"Oh Susan!" she said.

She found the matter a little difficult to broach. Susan remained in an
attitude of respectful expectation.

"I wanted to ask you," said Lady Harman and then broke off to shut the
door. Susan's interest increased.

"You know, Susan," said Lady Harman with an air of talking about
commonplace things, "Sir Isaac is very rich and--of course--very
generous.... But sometimes one feels, one wants a little money of one's
own."

"I think I can understand that, my lady," said Susan.

"I knew you would," said Lady Harman and then with a brightness that was
slightly forced, "I can't always get money of my own. It's
difficult--sometimes."

And then blushing vividly: "I've got lots of _things_.... Susan, have
you ever pawned anything?"

And so she broached it.

"Not since I got fairly into work," said Susan; "I wouldn't have it. But
when I was little we were always pawning things. Why! we've pawned
kettles!..."

She flashed three reminiscences.

Meanwhile Lady Harman produced a little glittering object and held it
between finger and thumb. "If I went into a pawnshop near here," she
said, "it would seem so odd.... This ring, Susan, must be worth thirty
or forty pounds. And it seems so silly when I have it that I should
really be wanting money...."

Susan displayed a peculiar reluctance to handle the ring. "I've never,"
she said, "pawned anything valuable--not valuable like that.
Suppose--suppose they wanted to know how I had come by it."

"It's more than Alice earns in a year," she said. "It's----" she eyed
the glittering treasure; "it's a queer thing for me to have."

A certain embarrassment arose between them. Lady Harman's need of money
became more apparent. "I'll do it for you," said Susan, "indeed I'll do
it. But----There's one thing----"

Her face flushed hotly. "It isn't that I want to make difficulties. But
people in our position--we aren't like people in your position. It's
awkward sometimes to explain things. You've got a good character, but
people don't know it. You can't be too careful. It isn't
sufficient--just to be honest. If I ta