I will put up the watches singly in the order in which they are described in the catalogue." Some of the company looked as if they were not sure whether they ought not to say "Hear, hear!" after this very elegant and polished speech, but they restrained their admiration, and reserved their energies for the bidding.
As I was last on the list I had full opportunity of noticing how my fellows fared, and was specially curious to see how the three or four watches whose acquaintance I had chanced to make went off.
The common-looking watch with the unlucky "Bob" attached to its chain was knocked down for L3 5 shillings, which, on the whole, was a triumph to the mortified coin, for it is certain without him the lot would not have fetched nearly so much, and his triumph was further enhanced by the fact that the hunter with whom he had had his altercation fetched only L2 17 shillings 6 pence.

However, there was no time for jeers and recriminations at present, we were all too deeply absorbed in watching the fate of our fellows and speculating on our own.
The compensation balance, keyless, air-tight, seven-guinea grandee was the next to be put up, and the first bid for him was L1 10s.
"That I should have lived to hear that!" I heard the poor creature gasp.
"And if he's a teetotaler," I murmured, by way of encouragement, "that only means L1 8 shillings 6 pence!" "Scoffer! be silent and leave me to my misery," said the keyless one, in a solemn tone.
The bidding improved considerably.

He was run up to L2, L2 10 shillings, L3, L3 10 shillings, and finally to L4.
"Nothing more for this very magnificent watch ?" said the auctioneer; "I positively cannot let him go for a song." No answer.
"I wish gentlemen would take the trouble to look at it," continued the persevering official; "they could not fail to see it was worth twice the money bid." Still no answer.
"Did I understand you to bid four five, sir ?" said the auctioneer to an innocent-looking stripling near the door.

"Thank you." The stripling, however, disclaimed the soft impeachment, and looked very guilty as he did so.
"Well, there seems no help for it.

I wish I were down among you gentlemen.