“And do they?”
“Very seldom. Oh, yes, sometimes there are fine new goods, silk stockings, dresses, shoes. They can’t all be bad.
“But then, too, you may pay real money for a worthless bundle of rags or a handful of broken dishes.
“So you see,” she added with a sigh, “it’s the call of the gambler that brings them here.”
“And you,” said Jeanne, “do you also gamble?”
“Very seldom. I buy only what I can see. To-day there are lamps, good ones, and not badly broken. I shall buy them. I can see two new traveling bags. If they are empty they will sell for very little.
“But if they are full—” She threw back her shoulders and smiled. “Then you shall see how they will bid. For in their dreams they see in those bags, lost in the express by other people, a fortune in watches, diamonds and silks.
“And what will they find? A few moth eaten garments, some old letters, a book or two, and some worthless trinkets. Did you ever pack your treasures in a traveling bag? Never.
“But when men are poor—” She sighed again. “They will gamble, for they have little to lose and always dream of gaining much. And after all, what is life without dreams?”
“Dreams! Ah, yes!” Jeanne answered. “And shall we not gamble a wee bit to-day?”