That meant "Get the money." The old lady plunged a huge paw into a huge pocket, and pulled out a huge handful of coin--copper, silver, and gold--and paid for the lot; and Rosa surveyed her dirty hands and nails with innocent dismay.

"Oh, what a dreadful creature!" she whispered; "and what can she want with those old rubbishy things?
I saw a hole in one from here." The broker overheard, and said, "She is a dealer, ma'am, and the things were given away.

She'll sell them for a guinea, easy." "Didn't I tell you ?" said Mrs.Cole.
Soon after this the superior lots came on, and six very neat bedroom chairs were sold to all appearance for fifteen shillings.
The next lot was identical, and Rosa hazarded a bid,--"Sixteen shillings." Instantly some dealer, one of the hook-nosed that gathered round each lot as it came to the foot of the table, cried "Eighteen shillings." "Nineteen," said Rosa.
"A guinea," said the dealer.
"Don't let it go," said the broker behind her.

"Don't let it go, ma'am." She colored at the intrusion, and left off bidding directly, and addressed herself to Mrs.Cole.

"Why should I give so much, when the last were sold for fifteen shillings ?" The real reason was that the first lot was not bid for at all, except by the proprietor.