Лето
XVIII
“Yourbrooch?”Dr.Merkleappearednottoremember.“My,yes—Igetsomanythingsofthatkind.Well,mydear,you’llhavetowaitwhileIgetitoutofthesafe.Idon’tleavevaluableslikethatlayingroundlikethenoospaper.”
Shedisappearedforamoment,andreturnedwithabitoftwisted-uptissuepaperfromwhichsheunwrappedthebrooch.
Charity,asshelookedatit,feltastirofwarmthatherheart.Sheheldoutaneagerhand.
“Haveyougotthechange?”sheaskedalittlebreathlessly,layingoneofthetwenty-dollarbillsonthetable.
“Change?What’dIwanttohavechangefor?Ionlyseetwotwentiesthere,”Dr.Merkleansweredbrightly.
Charitypaused,disconcerted.“Ithought...yousaiditwasfivedollarsavisit....”
“ForYOU,asafavour—Idid.Buthowabouttheresponsibilityandtheinsurance?Idon’ts’poseyoueverthoughtofthat?Thispin’sworthahundreddollarseasy.Ifithadgotlostorstole,where’dIbeenwhenyoucometoclaimit?”
Charityremainedsilent,puzzledandhalf-convincedbytheargument,andDr.Merklepromptlyfollowedupheradvantage.“Ididn’taskyouforyourbrooch,mydear.I’dagooddealrutherfolkspaidmemyregularchargethanhave’emputmetoallthistrouble.”
Shepaused,andCharity,seizedwithadesperatelongingtoescape,rosetoherfeetandheldoutoneofthebills.
“Willyoutakethat?”sheasked.
“No,Iwon’ttakethat,mydear;butI’lltakeitwithitsmate,andhandyouoverasignedreceiptifyoudon’ttrustme.”
“Oh,butIcan’t—it’sallI’vegot,”Charityexclaimed.
