The Amazing Pledge

Can one really not help a best friend who plans to leave a small provincial town for distant America? For starters, all that's needed is to find a self-teaching book on the American language. So, Alexey, without much thought, agreed to lend Semyon money for the coveted book, quietly taking three rubles that were set aside for re-pledging the most valuable thing in the house - his father's watch. If only he had known what would follow! When it turns out that repaying the money on time is impossible, Alexey decides on an incredible act.