He led us to the storeroom back of the Bazar and set us to work making a frame. This didn’t take long. The frame was shaped like a tent. When it was done we tacked some white cloth on the sides so it was tight and smooth, and Mark got the lampblack and the brush and began to paint signs on it. He could make letters as good as a regular sign-painter, too, and that fast you wouldn’t believe it. The same sign was on both sides of the tent. It said:
GRAND AUCTION SALE
Anything You Want For What You Want To Pay For It
AT
SMALLEY’S BAZAR
Monday, September 30
MARK TIDD, Auctioneer
“Now,” says Mark, “f-fetch down your horse and wagon, Binney. We’ll set this sign on the wagon. You can drive, and Tallow ’ll sit inside and bang on this drum.”
“Where’ll we go?”
“Out in the c-country this afternoon. To-morrow you’ll ride around town.”