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"But I told you " he began, in a tone of indignant command. "You don't know Mr Middlecoat's temper. I'm afraid if they meet " She hurried by him, towards the gate. Cai took fresh breath and dashed after her. They passed the gateway neck and neck. At a turning some fifty yards down the lane Cai leading now by a stride or two they pulled up, panting.
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.
"Steers! . . . That Middlecoat's steers they've broken fence again! Oh oh! and whatever shall I do?" Cai and 'Bias, wheeling about simultaneously, were aware of a small troop of horned cattle advancing towards them leisurably, breasting the golden rays on the stubble-field, and spreading as they advanced. "Do, ma'am?" echoed 'Bias, taking in the situation at a glance.
"That's a little better, gentlemen," Mr Dewy encouraged them. Apparently, too, it was the best. For some three minutes he exhorted and rebuked them, but could evoke no further bid. There was a prolonged pause. The auctioneer glanced again at Mr Baker, who, while seemingly unaware of the appeal, slightly inclined his head. Mr Middlecoat's eyes had rested on Mr Baker all the while.
It had happened happened past recall, and as Mrs Bowldler had more than once observed in the course of the morning, the worst was not over yet. "For," as she said, "out of two cold geese and two cold puddings I'll trouble you this next week for your entrays and what-not." "What was Middlecoat's business, ma'am? makin' so bold," inquired 'Bias.
You see, it marches right alongside our two farms, between them and the Railway Company's strip along the waterside, and well, Rilla's freehold and Middlecoat's is freehold, and it's nature, I suppose, to be jealous of any third party interlopin'. But I don't want the land, and so I've told him; nor I won't bid against him and run up the price, though that's what they're aimin' at by an auction."
And the worst is that though Captain Hocken and Captain Hunken are a pair of fools and Mr Middlecoat a bigger fool than either as it turns out, I'm the biggest fool of all." "How, mistress?" "Why, you ninny! They were buying, one against the other, to make me a present, and I stepped in and saved young Middlecoat's face.
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