The elder Mr. Hardy glanced from one to the other of the two young faces, and, as Rosalie bestowed a grateful smile upon his son, an idea seemed to strike him.
‘Well,’ he said good-naturedly, ‘you are trying an experiment, I understand, Mrs. Fiander. There’s always a certain amount o’ risk in an experiment; but still, “Nothing venture, nothing have,” they say. If you’re willing to venture I shall be glad to help you all I can. Send your cheeses to me, and I’ll do my best to sell ’em. I won’t promise to pay money down for ’em,’ he added, cautiously, ‘same as I do for the Ha’skims, but I’ll try an’ sell ’em for you, and we can settle about them after.’
‘I am very much obliged,’ said Rosalie, a little blankly, however, for she had not been accustomed to do business in this manner.
‘We will use our utmost endeavours to push the goods—of that you may be sure,’ cried young John eagerly; and she smiled upon him again, so graciously that he somewhat lost his head, and made several incoherent statements as to the excellence of Blue Vinney cheese for which his worthy father subsequently brought him to book.
‘That’s not the way to get round a woman, my lad,’ he remarked. ‘Mrs. F. will just think you be right down silly; the notion o’ tellin’ her as Blue Vinney cheese was richer to the palate than Rammil—why, Rammil’s made altogether o’ good new milk, and this here’s nothin’ but skim. She makes cheese o’ skim instead o’ givin’ it to the pigs, and you go and tell her all that rubbish. She’s no fool—the widow is n’t—that is n’t the way to make up to her.’
Meanwhile Rosalie had driven across the market-place and up a side street to the house of a certain auctioneer, and to her great joy found him at home.
He was a stout middle-aged man, with some pretensions to good looks, and more to being a dandy. He was attired in a sporting costume of quite correct cut, and received his visitor with an air of jovial hospitality.
‘Delighted to see you, I’m sure, Mrs. Fiander. I feel honoured. I am at your service for anything you may wish—you may command me, ma’am.’
Rosalie had begun by expressing a desire to transact a little business with him, and now proceeded to explain its nature.
‘I wish to sell my pigs by auction,’ she said. ‘I have about sixty-five to dispose of, and I should like the sale to take place as early as possible next week.’