“Haven’t you, honestly? I’m in a beastly fix, Mr. Crump. I’ve got to get hold of five dollars somewhere. I tried Mr. Pounder and he wouldn’t loosen up a bit. I’d pay it back by Saturday, cross my heart!” Mr. Crump grasped his broom more firmly, straightened his bent back and observed the boy with pardonable amazement. As long as he had been with the school, and that was many years, no one had ever tried to borrow money from him. Perhaps it pleased his sense of importance or perhaps something of earnestness in Hugh’s voice appealed to him, for after a moment’s scrutiny he asked quite mildly: “What’s your name?” “Ordway.” “Oh, you’re the English boy, be you? And you’ve got to have five dollars, have you? Ain’t any of your friends got that much?” “I dare say, but they’re all over at the field, and I’ve got to have the money right off, within a few minutes. I can’t explain, but that’s the way it is. I say, I’d be jolly glad to pay you six for the loan of five until Saturday.” “Would you now? I want to know! How do I know I’d get it, eh?” Mr. Crump chuckled. “Five dollars is a sight of money for a poor man to risk.” “But I tell you I’d pay you back!” “Oh, you do, eh? I been told things before in my life, young man.” 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.”