"Furs!" cried Jane, reaching down for the Manchurian sable. She blew aside
the top fur and discovered the smoky down beneath. She rubbed her cheek
against it ecstatically. She wondered what devil's lure there was about
furs and precious stones that made women give up all the world for them.
Was that madness hidden away in her somewhere?
"How much?"
She knew beforehand that the answer would render the question utterly
futile.
"A hundred Mex," said Ling Foo. "Very cheap."
"A hundred Mex?" That would be nearly fifty dollars in American money.
With a sigh she dropped the fur. "Too much for me. How much is that
Chinese jacket?"
"Twenty Mex."
Jane carried it over to the window.
"I will give you fifteen for it."
"All right."
Ling Foo was willing to forego his usual hundred per cent. profit in order
to start the day with a sale. Then he spread out the grass linen.
Jane went into raptures over some of the designs, but in the end she shook
her head. She wanted something from Shanghai, something from Hong-Kong,
something from Yokohama. If she followed her inclination she would go
broke here and now.
"Have you any jade? Understand, I'm not buying. Just want to see some."
"No, lady; but I can bring you some this afternoon."
"I warn you, I'm not buying."
"I shall be glad to show the lady. What time shall I call?"
"Oh, about tea time."
Ling Foo reached inside his jacket and produced a string of cut-glass
beads.
"How pretty! What are they?"
"Glass."
Jane hooked the string round her neck and viewed the result in the
mirror. The sunshine, striking the facets, set fire to the beads. They
were really lovely. She took a sudden fancy to them.
"How much?"
"Four Mex." It was magnanimous of Ling Foo.
"I'll take them." They were real, anyhow. "Bring your jade at tea time and
call for Miss Norman. I can't give you any more time."
"Yes, lady."
Ling Foo bundled up his assorted merchandise and trotted away infinitely
relieved. The whole affair was off his hands. In no wise could the police
bother him now. He knew nothing; he would know nothing until he met his
honourable ancestors.
From ten until three Jane, under the guidance of Captain Dennison, stormed
the shops on the Bunds and Nanking Road; but in returning to the Astor
House she realized with dismay that she had expended the major portion of
her ammunition in this offensive. She doubted if she would have enough to
buy a kimono in Japan. It was dreadful to be poor and to have a taste for
luxury and an eye for beauty.