with, he
gave two loud double knocks upon the article of furniture in question.
"Oh! I've 'ad my eye on this side-board for years, and years,--knowed
I'd get it some day, too,--the only wonder is as she ain't had to sell
up afore now."

"Meaning Miss Anthea, sir?"

"Ah,--her! I say as it's a wonder to me,--wo't wi' the interest on the
mortgage I 'old on the place, and one thing and another,--it's a wonder
to me as she's kept her 'ead above water so long. But--mark me, Parsons,
mark me,--she'll be selling again soon, and next time it'll be lock,
stock, and barrel, Parsons!"

"Well, I don't 'old wi' women farmers, myself!" nodded Parsons.
"But,--as to that cup-board over there,--Sheraton, I think,--what might
you suppose it to be worth,--betwixt friends, now?" enquired Parsons,
the rat eyed.

"Can't say till I've seed it, and likewise felt it," answered the
Corn-chandler, rising. "Let me lay my 'and upon it, and I'll tell
you--to a shilling," and here, they elbowed their way into the crowd.
But Bellew sat there, chin in hand, quite oblivious to the fact that his
pipe was out, long since.

The tall, old grand-father clock ticking in leisurely fashion in the
corner behind him, solemn and sedate, as it had done since, (as the neat
inscription upon the dial testified), it had first been made in the Year
of Grace 1732, by one Jabez Havesham, of London;--this ancient
time-piece now uttered a sudden wheeze, (which, considering its great
age, could scarcely be wondered at), and, thereafter, the wheezing
having subsided, gave forth a soft, and mellow chime, proclaiming to all
and sundry, that it was twelve o'clock. Hereupon, the Auctioneer,
bustling to and fro with his hat upon the back of his head, consulted
his watch, nodded to the red nosed, blue-chinned Theodore, and, perching
himself above the crowd, gave three sharp knocks with his hammer.

"Gentlemen!" he began, but here he was interrupted by a loud voice
upraised in hot anger.

"Confound ye for a clumsy rascal! Will ye keep them elbers o' yourn to
out o' my weskit, eh? Will ye keep them big feet o' yourn to yeself? If
there ain't room enough for ye,--out ye go, d'ye hear--I'll have ye
took, and shook,--and throwed out where ye belong; so jest mind where ye
come a trampin', and a treadin'."

"Tread!" repeated Adam, "Lord! where am I to tread? If I steps backward
I tread on ye,--If I steps sideways I tread on ye, if I steps for-ard I
tread on ye. It do seem to me