two o'clock
The girls waited eagerly for the fun to begin . They were much entertained at the company in which they found themselves , farmers and villagers from the neighbourhood , dealers from local towns , and an odd assortment of queer-looking people such as are never seen except at sales , some obviously out for amusement , and others bent on bargain-hunting . There were one or two keen faces of professional buyers which strangely repelled them , but on the whole the crowd was jovial and good-humoured . At two o'clock the auctioneer took his place , and his men began to carry out the first `` lots '' and place them upon the table . He rapidly described their merits and knocked down bundles of curtains or blankets to the highest bidders . Bedroom 4 , which was being sold , contained a variety of articles . When the linen was disposed of , a number of books were next plumped upon the table .