"Guineas." Sir Robert was now well set and looked good for a century.
Mrs. Newman hesitated. Ginger gave her the right sort of look. To speak was to break the spell. She set her teeth.
"Fifteen pounds," she said through them.
"Guineas," said Sir Robert with his unfailing originality.
Amid furious but suppressed excitement the struggle went on. It was only at seventy-five pounds that Sir Robert began to feel silly and the prize fell to Mrs. Newman.
"I congratulate you, madam," said Ginger warmly. "Even as it is you have got it at a remarkable price."
She went away happy.
Afterwards I approached Ginger.
"Was that a genuine Van Ruiter, really?" I asked.
"Sure," said Ginger carelessly.