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Under these conditions the sale proceeded swiftly, pleasantly, and without a hitch. Cai cast frequent glances back at the door. But the minutes sped on, and still Mrs Bosenna did not appear. "Lot 9 A field known as Barton's Orchard. Two perches only short of two acres " "Say twenty-five," said Mr Middlecoat carelessly. Again Cai glanced back.
He gave one to Cai. 'Bias, too, held out a hand and received one. "Lot I.," resumed Mr Dewy. Eighteen acres and a trifle over. Now, what shall we say, gentlemen?" "Fifty pounds," said Mr Middlecoat promptly. The auctioneer glanced at Mr Baker, who frowned. "Now, Mr Middlecoat! Now really, sir! . . . This is serious business, and you offer me less than three pounds an acre!
It became obvious that Mr Middlecoat had somehow possessed himself of a pretty close guess at what price Squire Willyams would part with each lot instead of "buying in"; that Mr Baker knew it; that the auctioneer knew it; that everyone in the room knew they knew; and that nobody in the room was disposed to prevent Mr Middlecoat's acquiring whatever was offered.
The field was a small field, but the soil was undeniably of the best, and in the interests of the vendor "Two hundred and thirty!" interrupted 'Bias. " and fifty!" bid Cai. There was a pause. Mr Dewy looked at Mr Middlecoat, who under his gaze admitted himself willing to stake two hundred and sixty. "Though 'tis the price of building land!"
It crossed his mind for a moment that a lady so timid with cattle had no business to be dwelling alone at Rilla Farm. "It's different with my own cows," gasped Mrs Bosenna, as if interpreting and answering this thought in one breath. "I'm used to them but Mr Middlecoat will insist on keeping these wild beasts! though he knows I'm a lone woman and they're not to be held by any fences "
"Excuse me," the auctioneer corrected him blandly; "the gentleman at the far end of the room I didn't catch his name " "Hunken," said 'Bias. "Captain Hunken," prompted Mr Philp. "Er excuse me, Mr Middlecoat, but Captain Hunken has just offered a hundred-and-twenty." "And thirty!" chimed Cai. "Fifty!" intoned back the voice by the door. Mr Middlecoat passed a hand over his brow.
"Apparently you are willing to give it rather than let the purchase go," observed Mr Baker drily. "For aught you know both these gentlemen may be desiring it for a building site. Did I hear one of them say two-seventy-five? Captain er Hunken, if I caught the name?" "Two-eighty," persisted Cai. "Two-ninety!" "Well, make it three hundred, and I've done!" groaned Mr Middlecoat collapsing. "Three "
Cai heard his voice, at some little distance, still chivvying the steers down the lane beyond the gate. . . . Then, as it seemed, another voice challenged 'Bias's, and the two were meeting in angry altercation. "Mr Middlecoat!" gasped a voice close behind him. Cai swung about, and to his amazement confronted Mrs Bosenna. Instead of retreating she had followed up the pursuit.
And "Hullo, what the dev " began Mr Middlecoat, when Cai promptly chimed "Fifty!" For the new bidder was 'Bias, of course: and well, in a flash, Cai guessed his game. Since Mrs Bosenna chose to tarry, 'Bias was bidding against him. It was a duel. Should 'Bias win and present her with these coveted two acres? Never! "Sixty!" "Here, I say!" Mr Middlecoat was heard to gasp in protest.
"Another ten," he murmured to the auctioneer. "Is there a boy handy? I I want to send out a message?" "Certainly, Mr Middlecoat," agreed the accommodating but bewildered auctioneer, and turned to his clerk. "Mr Chivers, would you oblige?"
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