Читать книгу Unconditional Surrender онлайн

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"Just what they said to Brenda."

"Then this morning a very awkward thing happened. One of the things I sold was a pair of clips Augustus gave me. I'd quite forgotten about them till they turned up in an old bag. What's more I'd forgotten that when I lost them years ago I had reported it to the insurance company and been paid. Apparently I've committed a criminal offence. They've been fairly decent about that. They aren't going to the police or anything, but I've got to refund the money--£250. It doesn't sound much, but I haven't got it. So this afternoon I've been hawking furs around. They say no one's buying them either, though I should have thought it's just what everyone will want with winter coming on and no coal."

"I always envied your furs," said Kerstie.

"Yours for two hundred and fifty."

"What's the best offer you got?"

"Believe it or not, £75."

"I happen to have a little money in the bank at the moment," said Kerstie thoughtfully. "I could go a bit higher than that."

"I need three times as much."