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"Well, I ought to know what I am talking about. I'm going to
Japan just to look into this Japanese pearl business. I'm in the trade
and there's not a man in it who won't tell you that what I say about
pearls goes. I know all the best pearls in the world, and what I don't
know about pearls isn't worth knowing. "
Here was news for us, for Mr. Kelada, with all his loquacity,
had never told anyone what his business was. We only knew vaguely
that he was going to Japan on some commercial errand. He looked
round the table triumphantly.
"They'll never be able to get a culture pearl that an expert like
me can't tell with half an eye." He pointed to a chain that Mr.s
Ramsay wore. "You take my word for it. Mr.s Ramsay, that chain
you're wearing will never be worth a cent less than it is now."
Mr.s Ramsay in her modest way flushed a little and slipped the
chain inside her dress. Ramsay leaned forward. He gave us all a look
and a smile flickered in his eyes.
"That's a pretty chain of Mr.s Ramsay's, isn't it?"
"I noticed it at once," answered Mr. Kelada. "Gee, I said to
myself, those are pearls all right."
"I didn't buy it myself, of course. I'd be interested to know how
much you think it cost."
"Oh, in the trade somewhere round fifteen thousand dollars.
1
But if it was bought on Fifth Avenue I shouldn't be surprised to hear
that anything up to thirty thousand was paid for it."
Ramsay smiled grimly.
"You'll be surprised to hear that Mrs. Ramsay bought that string
at a department store the day before we left New York, for eighteen
dollars."
Mr. Kelada flushed.
"Rot. It's not only real, but it's as fine a string for its size as I've
ever seen."
"Will you bet on it? I'll bet you a hundred dollars it's imitation."
"Done."
"Oh, Elmer, you can't bet on a certainty" said Mrs. Ramsay.
She had a little smile on her lips and her tone was gently
deprecating.

1
Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue, New York – вулиці, де розташовані дорогі
фешенебельні магазини.