.net - How do I lazy load a property? -

i have poco class built through service. hit service info, dto , use build parts of object. i'm trying lazy load of bigger properties they're filled on demand. thought way it:

        private list<user> _directreports;         public list<user>directreports         {                         {                 if (this._directreports == null)                 {                     setdirectreports();                 }                 return this._directreports;             }             private set             {                 this._directreports = value;             }         }          private void setdirectreports()         {             using (var client = new adsclient())             {                 this._directreports = client.getdirectreports(this.guid);             }         } 

here's problem, , maybe i'm chasing ghosts, when step through debugger , @ guts of object after instantiating it, fields have information in it, , shouldn't @ stage , defeats purpose of i'm trying do. i'm trying understand this, doing wrong? compiler running method point i'm not thinking about?

this debugger artifact. when use watch or quick inspect @ property, debugger run property getter can display value. causes lazy init code execute. you'll never see property return null.

something keep in mind.