and which alone had cost him hundreds of dollars.  And now they were at a Rummage Sale, and the managers did not know what to do with them.  It was scarcely possible that any one would buy them, and it would be greatly out of place to exhibit them in the dry-goods department with Mrs. Biggs’s brown and white spotted gown which she had contributed rather unwillingly, insisting that it should not be sold for less than a dollar.  Ruby Ann suggested that they be carefully folded in boxes and laid away by themselves for inspection by any one who had a thought of buying them.  If they did not sell, and probably they would not, they were to be returned either to Amy or to the Colonel,—­the latter most likely, as Amy had expressed so strong a desire to be rid of them.  Her suggestion was acted upon, and the dresses laid aside, and the attention of the managers turned to the doll house and its occupants, Mandy Ann and Judy, the latter of whom was greeted with shrieks of laughter.

Here was something that would sell, but what price to put upon it was a puzzle.  No one had any idea of the original cost.  Mrs. Biggs, who had joined the working force and whose voice was loudest everywhere, suggested ten dollars, with the privilege of falling, but was at once talked down, as low prices were to be the rule for everything, and five was quite enough.  There were few who would pay that for a mere plaything for their children, so the card upon it was marked five dollars, with the addition that it had once belonged to Mrs. Amy Crompton Smith.  It was then placed conspicuously in a window before which a group of eager, excited children gathered, and to which early in the afternoon Peter came leisurely.

The Colonel had asked him several times why he didn’t go, and had finally grown so petulant that Peter had started, wondering how much he’d have to pay and what excuse he was to make for wanting it himself.  His instructions were not to lie, but get it somehow without using the Colonel’s name.  Finding Ruby Ann alone, he began, “I say, do you make any sales before the thing opens?”

“Why, yes, we can,” Ruby answered.  “Several antiques are promised, if not actually sold, your boot-jack with the rest.  Could sell another if we had it.  Any particular thing you want?”

“Yes, I want that house in the window and the two women in it,—­Mandy Ann and Judy.  It’s marked five dollars.  Here’s your money,” and he laid a crisp five-dollar bill in her hand.

“Why, Peter,—­why, Peter,” Ruby exclaimed in surprise, with a sense of regret that more had not been asked, and a feeling of wonder as to why Peter wanted it.  “Are you buying it for yourself?” she asked, and Peter replied, “Who should I buy it for?  I knew Mrs. Amy when she was a little girl and played with it and slept with that nigger baby Judy.  I’ve bought it.  It’s mine, and I’ll take it right away.  There’s a drayman now, bringing a worn-out cook-stove and an old lounge.”