in a paper box on my bed, or in my bureau, or on the closet
shelf, pushed away back, or somewhere. Now clip it."

Tim started without his hat, and the last thing he heard was his
mother's voice shrill as a clarion, "If you don't find the key under the
mat, climb inter the but'ry winder, but don't upset the mornin's milk!"

Business was beginning to slacken and sales were few. Some of the people
had gone home and others were going, and still there were quantities of
goods unsold. An auction was the only alternative and Mr. Bills, who, to
his office of school commissioner, added that of auctioneer, was sent
for. There was no one like him in Crompton for disposing of whatever was
to be disposed of, from a tin can to a stove-pipe hat. He could judge
accurately the nature and disposition of his audience,--knew just what
to say and when to say it, and had the faculty of making people bid
whether they wanted to or not. To hear him was as good as a circus, his
friends said, and when it became known that he was to auction off the
goods remaining from the sale, many who had left came back, filling the
rooms again nearly as full as they were early in the evening.

Eloise's chair was moved a little more to the front,--a long counter
was cleared, and on it Mr. Bills took his stand, smiling blandly upon
the crowd around him and then bowing to Eloise and her escorts, Jack and
Howard. He was bound to do his best before them and took up his work
eagerly. He was happiest when selling clothes which he could try on, or
pretend to, and after disposing of several bonnets amid roars of
laughter he took up Mrs. Biggs's gown, which Ruby Ann had not been able
to sell. Here was something to his mind and he held it out and up, and
tried its length on himself and expatiated upon its beauty and its style
and durability until he got a bid of twenty-five cents, and this from
Howard, who said to Eloise, "It seems a pity not to start the old thing
at something, and I suppose the Charitable Society will take it. I
believe there is one in town."

Eloise did not answer. The spotted gown was an offence to her, and she
shut her eyes while Mr. Bills, delighted that he had a bid at last and
from such a source, began, "Thank you, sir. You know a good thing when
you see it, but only twenty-five cents! A mere nothing. Somebody will
give more, of course, for this fine tea gown to put on hot afternoons.
Just the thing. Twenty-five cents! Twenty-five cents! Do I