“Forty-five!” said Dolly.
“Fifty!” yelled Dick, smiling at his sister.
“Fifty-five,” she cried, smiling back.
“Stop!” cried the auctioneer, “you two mustn’t bid against each other!”
“Why not?” asked Dick. “We have the money. We’ve more ’n a dollar ’n’ a half, together.”
“Yes, but one of you can buy this thing if you really want it. So stop bidding, and take it for fifty cents.”
“All right,” agreed Dick, “we’ll each pay twenty-five.”
This plan suited Dolly, and the money was paid at once.
“You have to take your goods with you, you know,” said the auctioneer, not unkindly, as he watched the two delighted children.
“Yes, we will,” said Dolly. “Michael’s outside somewhere, with the big wagon. He’ll take us all home.”