Arrangements were made, sentiments were exchanged, and Qwilleran returned to his reading, only to be interrupted by the phone again.
"Qwill! I forgot to tell you the world-shaking news. Our crotchety mayor came into the store today and actually bought a book! What's more, she was congenial, according to the Green Smocks!"
"What did she buy?" he asked.
"You know it would be unethical to reveal customers' purchases," she said teasingly.
"You're just being rascally. Go back to your book. What are you reading?"
"That's privileged information."
And so it went.
It was the kind of bantering that always made Qwilleran's cats run around in circles. Why? Someday he would write a book. . . .
Chapter 13
There was plenty to talk about that weekend - in the coffee shops, on the street corners, over the grapevine.
About the murder at the family reunion: "They've let the suspect go because of not-enough-evidence, but it looks like murder to me." . . . "That's what happens when you have a lot of strangers coming into town." . . . "Thank God it wasn't one of us."
About the new feature writer at the newspaper: "Why did they have to go to California to get somebody?" . . . "Do you like the way she writes?"
About the Heirloom Auction: "Did you see that copper picture of Lincoln in the paper?" . . . "My grandmother had a gold locket with Lincoln's picture on the front, his autograph on the back, and inside there was a smidgeon of cloth from the vest he was wearing when he was shot. The locket disappeared." . . . "A lot of family treasures are coming out of the closet! They're not telling who-gives-what. Does it have something to do with income tax?"
About the
About the weather: "Do you think this good weather will keep up?" . . . "It's nice for parades and family reunions, but not so good for crops." . . . "A good rain would wash the pollen away, too. Notice how many people are complaining about allergies?"
An editorial in Friday's paper was headlined:
CAMPBELL'S KIDS DO IT AGAIN
It praised the MCCC students of Burgess Campbell, who learned lifetime skills while contributing to the well-being of the community. Prodded by their mentor, they challenged a problem, devised an original solution, involved the General Public, and accomplished wonders. The General Public deserved much of the credit, but it was the enthusiasm of the young people that enlisted their support.
The editorial said: "There has never been an activity centre for seniors. Burgess Campbell has donated an old downtown building; money to equip it is being raised by auctioning heirlooms donated by old families and collected by a crew of Kids. Local merchants, organizations, and news media are supporting it."
On Saturday morning auction-goers lined up in front of the Community Hall, waiting to buy tickets: five dollars for spectator seats in the balcony, twice that for persons intending to bid; they were given numbered flash cards.
Small objects were displayed on long tables lining the walls; large items were displayed on the platform. All had DO NOT TOUCH signs, and were under the watchful eye of security guards disguised as hosts and hostesses. There was even background music - not recorded but
The emcee said, "Please take your seats: yellow tickets on the main floor, green tickets in the balcony."
There was a moment's hush, and then the chairman of the Kids extended a welcome and introduced Moose County's favorite auctioneer, "who is donating his expertise today, Foxy Fred." (Tumultuous applause!)
He entered wearing his usual outfit, which included sombrero, red neckerchief, and cowboy boots. "Howdy! Howdy!" he said. "As you good people know, there will be no noise of any kind while bidders are bidding and the porters and spotters are doing their job."
The porters and spotters and cashiers wore MCCC T-shirts, white on blue, with red neckerchiefs. All were emotionless, staring pointedly at the audience until there was an absolute hush.
Then a porter carried a framed picture to the platform. Glancing at the tag, Foxy Fred said, "What we have here is an early-twentieth-century trolley car poster in mint condition, advertising a big bowl of healthy, crispy, crunchy breakfast cereal with strawberries and cream. What am I offered?"
"A hundred!" came a man's authoritative voice.
"A hundred I've got. Who'll make it two?"
"Two hundred!" came a voice that WPKX listeners recognized. There were gasps from the audience.
"Are you gonna let him get away with this rare piece of Americana?"
"Three!" shouted Qwilleran.
"Three I've got. Make it four . . ."
Wetherby flashed his card.
"Four I've got . . . Make it five? Make it five?"
The audience held its collective breath.
