"The greatest pullers in the State"; the auctioneer made a point of it, repeating it several times for emphasis.
Wallie scanned the faces of the crowd to see if he could detect any special interest that would denote a rival bidder, and he wished the auctioneer would stop harping on their good qualities. It surprised him a little that he saw none of his own eagerness reflected in the varied expressions, also it relieved him somewhat. If he had had an unlimited bank account it would have been different, but he realized that any determined opponent could outbid him, so he found himself in a perspiration as he waited.
"How high do you think I should go?" he asked of his friend and advisor.
"That depends on how badly you want them."
"They suit me exactly."
"Horses of that class are selling around $500, but you might venture a little more, since you like them."
"That's just about what I am able to pay. My goodness, but I hope I'm not outbid! You wouldn't believe how nervous I am. It's such a new experience that I am really agitated."
The statement was unnecessary, since Canby could see Wallie's knees trembling in his riding breeches.
"How much am I offered for this pair of magnificent young horses?" asked the auctioneer, ingratiatingly.
Wallie, who had not such a case of stage-fright since he first sang in public "Oh, that we two were Maying," bid instantly: