Then a retired tradesman of Seaton held up his hand. The agent again offered; a third bid; then an old maid from Lyme. The sale moved but sluggishly.
Mr. Hawkes looked towards the agent. But he shook his head; he had been instructed not to go above a certain specified sum.
Jane Marley stood by the window. She had thrust her way to the front, and was near the auctioneer; she leaned one elbow on the sill and looked up into his face.
He held the hammer aloft, gazing about him, with an encouraging word cast at one, then another, but without response.
He turned sharply about. 'Seventy pounds offered for this desirable residence, worth a hundred and seventy――a freehold, mind you. Who says eighty? Come. Going for seventy. You could not build it under two hundred. Now, Mr. Frank. The fruits of life are, in your ripe and green old age, to sit under your own vine and fig-tree――――'
'And possibly have the ground fall away under one,' said the tradesman, and shook his head.
'Seventy. Going, going! I am really ashamed. Stay a moment. Madam, we shall expect caution money.'
'Gone!' said the auctioneer. 'And now we will proceed with the rest of the furniture. Step inside. Ladies and gentlemen, oblige me, and step within.' Silence among the crowd. Those assembled looked at one another with astonishment.
A woman who a few weeks ago had in vain sought shelter for herself and child, one who had been regarded as the poorest of the poor, suddenly put down seventy pounds and became owner of a house and freehold property.
'Upon my life,' whispered one to a neighbour, 'hawking must be a paying trade.'
Mrs. Jose worked her way with her elbows to Jane and shook her hand.
'I am rejoiced,' she said, with her face bright with smiles. 'You have a house of your own now; the rest will follow.'
A friend whispered in her ear, 'Where did the peddling creature get the money?'
'The little maid's father has come down handsome,' answered Mrs. Jose in an undertone.
'How can that woman have got hold of such a sum of money?' asked a seaman of Olver Dench.
'Hist you!' answered the ferryman. 'By robbing the captain.'
Though he said it in a whisper, he spoke sufficiently audibly to be overheard by those around, and those who heard repeated it to such as had not. Jane saw eyes fixed on her full of mistrust. But she threw up her head; and as the sale proceeded bought the wardrobe that had not been disturbed, beds, tables, and most of the furniture.