Mother Jenkins explained that with a lick of furniture polish they would look as good as new, but Pinkey's only fear was that they would be too expensive.

Then the dealer reckoned that she could get the lot for seven pounds.

The only rivals she feared were women who, if they set their heart on anything, sometimes forced the price up till you could buy it for less in the shop.
Meanwhile the sale had begun, and in the distance Pinkey could hear the monotonous voice of the auctioneer forcing the bids up till he reached the limit.

From time to time there was a roar of laughter as he cracked a joke over the heads of his customers.

The buyers stood wedged like sardines in the room, craning their necks to see each lot as it was put up.