'See that, Anna? It will be reckoned in our returns,' she said, exhibiting a piece of paper. It was Ephraim's cheque for twenty-five pounds promised months ago, but on a condition which had not been fulfilled.
'She has the secret of persuading him,' thought Anna. 'Why have I never found it?'
Then Agnes, in a new white frock, came up with three shillings, proceeds of bouquets.
'But you must take that to the flower-stall, my pet,' said Mrs. Sutton.
'Can't I give it to you?' the child pleaded. 'I want your stall to be the best.'
Mynors arrived next, with something concealed in tissue-paper. He removed the paper, and showed, in a frame of crimson plush, a common white plate decorated with a simple band and line, and a monogram in the centre--'A.T.' Anna blushed, recognising the plate which she had painted that afternoon in July at Mynors' works.
'Can you sell this?' Mynors asked Mrs. Sutton.
'I'll try to,' said Mrs. Sutton doubtfully--not in the secret. 'What's it meant for?'
'Well,' she laughed, 'what will you give?'
He paid the money, and requested Anna to keep the plate for him.
At nine o'clock it was announced that, though raffling was forbidden, the bazaar would be enlivened by an auction. A licensed auctioneer was brought, and the sale commenced. The auctioneer, however, failed to attune himself to the wild spirit of the hour, and his professional efforts would have resulted in a fiasco had not Mynors, perceiving the danger, leaped to the platform and masterfully assumed the hammer. Mynors surpassed himself in the kind of wit that amuses an excited crowd, and the auction soon monopolised the attention of the room; it was always afterwards remembered as the crowning success of the bazaar. The incredible man took ten pounds in twenty minutes. During this episode Anna, who had been left alone in the stall, first noticed Willie Price in the room. His ship sailed on the Monday, but steerage passengers had to be aboard on Sunday, and he was saying good-bye to a few acquaintances. He seemed quite cheerful, as he walked about with his hands in his pockets, chatting with this one and that; it was the false and hysterical gaiety that precedes a final separation. As soon as he saw Anna he came towards her.