Most of the men seated on the rails jumped down into an empty yard and stood round in a ring.

In one corner the auctioneer mounted a box, and read the conditions of sale, and talked hard about the breed of the cattle.
Then: "How much for the imported cow, Silky?
No.1 on the catalogue.

How much to start her, gentlemen ?" Silky rushed into the yard with a shower of sticks flying after her and glared about, finally fixing her gaze on Dad, who was trying to find her number in the catalogue.
"A pure-bred 'Heereford,' four years old, by The Duke out of Dolly, to calve on the eighth of next month," said the auctioneer.

"How much to start her ?" All silent.

Buyers looked thoughtful.