As Rivers spoke, Colonel Penhallow stood up, swayed a
little, straightened his tall figure, and waving Rivers aside said, "I
shall now conduct this sale." This was only a pleasant surprise to the
audience, and was welcomed with noisy hands.
The two McGregors exchanged looks of anxious alarm as the Colonel said,
"Now, John!" Mrs. Penhallow smiled approval.
John uncovered a corner of the nearest sheet and brought out a clock
without hands. "First article! Who'll bid? I think the hands have all
struck like the mill-hands down East. Five cents--do I hear ten?
Going--gone," cried the Colonel.
A rag doll came next and brought a penny. There was high bidding over a
heavy band-box. When it went for half a dollar to Mrs. Crocker and was
found to contain a shrivelled pumpkin of last year's crop, the audience
wildly congratulated the post-mistress.
John, who was now thoroughly in the spirit of their fun, produced two
large apples. "Now what daughter of Eve will bid," said the elated
Colonel. Leila laughing bid fifty cents. "Going--gone."
"Look out for the serpent, Miss Grey," said Grace.
Leila handed the apples to a small girl, who losing no time followed
Eve's remote example. "Oh, mother!" she cried, "it's got a five-dollar
piece in it--most broke my new tooth.
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