It was worth six shillings to have a fender you could always tell that joke
on,« said Mr. Clintup, laughing low and apologetically to his next neighbour. He
was a diffident though distinguished nurseryman, and feared that the audience
might regard his bid as a foolish one.
    Meanwhile Joseph had brought a trayful of small articles. »Now, ladies,«
said Mr. Trumbull, taking up one of the articles, »this tray contains a very
recherchy lot - a collection of trifles for the drawing-room table - and trifles
make the sum of human things - nothing more important than trifles - (yes, Mr.
Ladislaw, yes, by-and-by) - but pass the tray round, Joseph - these bijoux must
be examined, ladies. This I have in my hand is an ingenious contrivance - a sort
of practical rebus, I may call it: here, you see, it looks like an elegant
heart-shaped box, portable - for the pocket; there, again, it becomes like a
splendid double flower - an ornament for the table; and now« - Mr. Trumbull
allowed the flower to fall alarmingly into strings of heart-shaped leaves - »a
book of riddles! No less than five hundred printed in a beautiful red.
Gentlemen, if I had less of a conscience, I should not wish you to bid high for
this lot - I have a longing for it myself. What can promote innocent mirth, and
I may say virtue, more than a good riddle? - it hinders profane language, and
attaches a man to the society of refined females. This ingenious article itself,
without the elegant domino-box, card-basket, etc., ought alone to give a high
price to the lot. Carried in the pocket it might make an individual welcome in
any society. Four shillings, sir? - four shillings for this remarkable
collection of riddles with the et cæteras. Here is a sample: How must you spell
honey to make it catch lady-birds? Answer - money. You hear? - lady-birds -
honey - money. This is an amusement to sharpen the intellect; it has a sting -
it has what we call satire, and wit without indecency. Four-and-sixpence - five
shillings.«
    The bidding ran on with warming rivalry. Mr. Bowyer was a bidder, and this
was too exasperating. Bowyer couldn't afford it, and only wanted to hinder every
other man from making a figure. The current carried even Mr. Horrock with it,
but this committal