Quite a hundred villagers or farming people, young and old, filled the room, and the air was oppressively heavy.  At one end on a raised platform the Colonel was seated, and near by his wife well pleased to see him smiling as he recognized here and there some of the farmers who had been the playmates of his youth.  John stood by the long table on which, covered by sheets, lay the articles for sale.  Rivers came forward to the front of the platform, leaving Leila, who declined to sit down, at one side with Mr. Grace and the two McGregors.

The murmur of voices ceased; there was an appearance of expectant attention.  Rivers raised a hand, and said, “You are all, I am sure, most glad to welcome the friend who like others among you has paid so dearly for keeping unbroken the union of the States.”  Loud applause followed, as he paused.  “An occasion like this brings together young and old for good-humoured fun, and may remind you of a similar meeting years ago.  This is to be a rummage-auction of useful things out of use, and of useless things.  If you will explain why anybody wants useless things I shall know why some of you come to hear me preach or”—­with a slight pause—­“my friend, Grace.”  Every one laughed, and John and Leila alike felt that Rivers had struck the right note.

“Captain John Penhallow”—­loud plaudits—­“Captain John Penhallow will mention the articles for sale.  Now, as you see, they are all hidden—­some of them I have never seen.  Whoever makes the highest bid of the sale for the most useless article will collect the whole product—­the whole proceeds of the sale, and”—­he laughed—­“will pay it over to the girl about to be married.”

This was really great fun, and even John felt some relief as the hall rang with merry laughter.  Only Tom McGregor was grave while he watched the Colonel.  As Rivers spoke, Colonel Penhallow stood up, swayed a little, straightened his tall figure, and waving Rivers aside said, “I shall now conduct this sale.”  This was only a pleasant surprise to the audience, and was welcomed with noisy hands.

The two McGregors exchanged looks of anxious alarm as the Colonel said, “Now, John!” Mrs. Penhallow smiled approval.

John uncovered a corner of the nearest sheet and brought out a clock without hands.  “First article!  Who’ll bid?  I think the hands have all struck like the mill-hands down East.  Five cents—­do I hear ten?  Going—­gone,” cried the Colonel.

A rag doll came next and brought a penny.  There was high bidding over a heavy band-box.  When it went for half a dollar to Mrs. Crocker and was found to contain a shrivelled pumpkin of last year’s crop, the audience wildly congratulated the post-mistress.

John, who was now thoroughly in the spirit of their fun, produced two large apples.  “Now what daughter of Eve will bid,” said the elated Colonel.  Leila laughing bid fifty cents.  “Going—­gone.”

“Look out for the serpent, Miss Grey,” said Grace.