The two bed-rooms were so small that few people could get in, so the auctioneer ordered Abner to carry the articles for sale, out on the lawn where everyone could see them. Had it not been for this sensible advice, Polly would never have seen or secured the fine old set of Staffordshire toilet-ware that was knocked down to her for four dollars.
It consisted of ewer in quaint shape, basin deep enough to be a huge punch-bowl, a soap-plate, a mug, and a commode. The rich deep coloring of the design on the china was lovely, and every piece was in good order.
The young man who had told the truth about the eight dishes from the tea-store, congratulated Polly and said: "That set has been in our family for more'n a hundred years. My grandmother used to keep it fer show, er when we had fine comp'ny comin' to see us. That's how it kept so good."
"Oh, don't you want to keep it, then?" asked Polly, regretfully.
"Nah, I'm goin' west on the money I git outen this sale, an' I'd ruther see someone what likes it own it, than any old clod-hopper about these parts!"
Polly felt sure the owner had not been lovingly treated by the people he glanced at as he spoke. But she learned, just before leaving the place that afternoon, that he felt so antagonistic against his neighbors because of their frank criticism of his habit of spending his inheritance.
Because of this unwise recklessness, he had had to mortgage the old farm, and when the proceeds of that had been spent, he had to sell out. "Perhaps his going west, where he would have to work hard for his living, would be his salvation, after this," thought Polly.
Mrs. Fabian allowed the girls to watch the sale until the contents of the house were sold out and then she suggested that they start back home. The bargains were carefully placed between the coverlets purchased, and then the buyers got in the car.
The country-people were all crowding to the barns to bid on stock and farm-utensils when Carl started the engine. With a last look at the little house where they had found their interesting antiques, the collectors left.
The collectors took several long trips, after the vendue in Westchester County, but found nothing of value at any place.
Still they lived in hopes, and towards the last of October, Polly suggested that they try New Jersey for a change. A girl who attended Art Classes told Polly of several very old places within the vicinity of Springfield and Morristown--both old Revolutionary towns of historic fame.