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‘Eight thousand!’ shouted Margaret

‘Nine,’ said Elizabeth without hesitation

‘Ten thousand!’ bellowed Margaret

Suddenly there was silence Cornelius glanced across the room to see a s left her sister-in-laith a bill for £10,000

Cornelius wanted to burst out laughing The auction was turning out to be eventhan he could have hoped

‘There being no htful water-colour is sold to Miss Barrington for £10,000,’ said Mr Botts as he brought the haaret, as if she had made a wise investment

‘The next lot,’ he continued, ‘is a portrait simply entitled Daniel, by an unknown artist It is a well-executed work, and I was hoping to open the bidding at £100 Do I see a bid of one hundred?’

To Cornelius’s disappoint any interest in this lot

‘I as started,’ said Mr Botts, ‘but I ao any lower Will anyone bid me £50?’

Cornelius glanced around the roo to work out from the expressions on their faces who had selected this iteer wished to bid when the price was so reasonable

‘Then I fear I will have to withdraw this lot as well’

‘Does that ot it?’ asked a voice from the back Everyone looked round

‘If you are willing to bid £50,his spectacles, ‘the picture is yours’

‘Yes please,’ said Pauline Mr Botts sht down the hammer ‘Sold to the lady at the back of the room,’ he declared, ‘for £50’

‘Now I move on to lot number four, a chess set of unknown provenance What shall I say for this item? Can I start someone off with £100? Thank you, sir’