ent, for a lady, who was
about to enter, paused, looked at the girls, and said gently:

"I can take you in with me if you want to go. My catalogue will admit
three."

Kitty and Lesbia accepted with alacrity. Neither had witnessed a sale
before, so it would be a novel experience to both. Their unknown friend
piloted them to the front door, where they were duly passed by the
policeman in charge, then, meeting some friends, she nodded good-bye and
went away. There was still a quarter of an hour before the auctioneer
was due to begin, and people were walking about the house viewing the
various articles which would presently be put up. In great curiosity the
girls joined the throng, and wandered round the rooms. It was the third
day of the sale, so most of the important pieces of furniture had
already been removed. What was left was that vast accumulation of
household rubbish which--like the traditional lost pocket-book--is
often of little value to anybody except its owner. The dismantled house
had a forlorn look, the sun glared through curtainless windows on to
bedsteads piled up with bedding, stacks of well-used books, antiquated
hats in round band-boxes, tasteless ornaments, faded cushions, tarnished
gilt frames, and a medley of miscellaneous objects. There was something
infinitely sad about it all. The old nursery, where surely children had
not played for forty years, held old-fashioned pictures of Red Riding
Hood, Cherry Ripe, and other Victorian supplements; there was a high
chair and a swinging cot, and even a dolls' house, with dusty furniture
and broken dolls. Various articles were spread forth upon a large deal
table. Lesbia, a little oppressed with the mental atmosphere of the
place, looked over them lightly, then gave a sudden gasp and clutched
Kitty's arm. In the very middle there was an oil paint-box, palette, and
bundle of brushes.

"Look! The very things I want!" whispered Lesbia excitedly. "Oh, do you
think they'll go cheap? Could I possibly bid for them? What do you think
they'll fetch?"

"I've no idea," replied Kitty. "Sometimes you get these things for an
old song, I believe, and sometimes people run them up. What money have
you brought with you?"

"I've only four shillings in the world, but it's here in my purse, thank
goodness!"

"I have five shillings with me, but we shall want to get some tea. I
might lend you half a crown, but not more."

"Oh, _do_ let us see what we can do!"

Lesbia was a