is said in
just so many words, and she did not have to go into details as to why,
for example, she hesitated to ask her uncle for the money, or why it
was impossible to write to her mother for it. She told him simply that
there was a girl at school to whom her sister was indebted, and who had
played Alma a very shabby trick; and that, therefore, she felt that it
was absolutely imperative to clear Alma of the obligation to her. He
listened attentively, interposing occasionally in the friendly tone
such as an older man might use to a young one, so that she felt no
embarrassment in making the whole affair clear to him. Nor did he seem
to think that there was anything very awful in her trying to raise the
money for herself with the ring as a security.

"Only you should have gotten someone's advice, Miss Prescott. A man
like Zeigler would swindle you outrageously, and there are plenty of
reputable places which make loans on jewelry as a security. How large
is the debt?" Nancy told him.

"A hundred and ten dollars? You are unwilling to ask your uncle?"
Then seeing a look of distress in her face, he went on hastily: "Well,
I think I can understand. I admire your independence, Miss Prescott.
I say," he asked suddenly, with a touch of shyness, "would you mind if
I should call you Nancy? It sounds so much more friendly."

"I---I'd like you to," replied Nancy, simply. "It makes me feel sort
of old to be called Miss Prescott."

"Very well, and it makes me feel quite antique to be called Mr. Arnold.
I wish you'd flatter me into believing myself young once more by
calling me George."

"Oh, goodness, I don't believe I could! I--I mean that sounds so
dreadfully cheeky!" exclaimed Nancy.

"I suppose I must seem actually prehistoric to you," he said with a
laugh that sounded just a little bit forced. "But if you practised a
bit, you'd probably find that it would get easier for you, and it would
please me very much. To return to business--I think that if you will
let me have the ring, I can get the money on it for you this afternoon.
I know the best place to go, where you will get something really
proportionate to its value, and on the best terms."

Nancy could have hugged him in her relief and gratitude. She protested
a little feebly against his putting himself to any trouble, but he
waved her words aside, and she took the ring from her bag, and gave it
to him. He looked at it curiously; inside the broad finger ba