III-III

"Twenty-seven hundred and ninety
dollars," the sheriff reiterated; "only
twenty-seven ninety... this fine bottom
land, all cleared and buildings in best repair. Going!
Going!"

"Three thousand," a man called from the group
facing the columned portico.

"Three thousand! Three thousand! Sale must
be made. Going--"

"Thirty-one hundred," Gordon pronounced
abruptly.

A stir of renewed interest animated the sale.
Gordon heard his name pronounced in accents of
surprise. He was surprised at himself: his bid had
been unpremeditated -- it had leaped like a flash of
ignited powder out of the resurrected enmity to Valentine
Simmons, out of the memories stirred by the
figure that resembled Lettice.

The sheriff immediately took up his bid.
"Thirty-one hundred!, thirty-one, gentlemen; only
thirty-one for this fine bottom land, all cleared--"

There was a prolonged pause in the bidding, dur-

[[289]]

p288 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p289w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p290

v?