sixteenth century,
and the subject is the famous Bridge at Avignon. This is worth thousands
of dollars, dear, and I hesitate to tell you what to offer for it."

Polly would have taken the rare picture out to the still sleeping man and
offered him a sum that would have made him sit up and investigate the
matter for himself. But clever Dodo advised another method.

"If you offer more than the old frame is actually worth, when you say you
will pay so much for the frames--he will see right off that there's a
'nigger in the woodpile.' Let's tangle up a few of these old black-walnut
frames with the two valuable pictures, and I'll bargain for you."

"Better let Mrs. Fabian bargain--you know how she got the candle-sticks
in exchange for a two-dollar 'bankit' lamp," Eleanor reminded them.

"I'll do it, while you girls keep on poking about as if to find other
things," declared Mrs. Fabian. "Here, Polly, let us fix this frame up
exactly as it was before, and I'll take four out of the pile and place
them, one on top of the other, upon this dresser, and then call the man
out to quote me a price on the lot."

This was carefully done, dust being shaken out of the old curtain so that
the glass was again coated, and then dust was shaken over the back where
the board had been removed and cleaned.

A dreadful lithograph showing a string of fish, framed in a wide gilt
affair, was one that was chosen for the group. An oval frame with a
woman's photograph in it, was another selected. Then the four were
arranged: The large engraving at the bottom, the fish next, then the
little old relic, and on top, the oval frame. All four appeared dirty and
insignificant as they lay on the top of the dresser; and to finish the
work, Polly used the chenille rag to gather up as much dust as possible
from the filthy floor, and shook it vigorously over all the frames. Such
a choking and coughing as ensued made them separate in haste, for fear
the noise would make the auctioneer come out to enquire.

But he was too deeply concerned with some pleasant dream to awake to
business, before his usual time for the afternoon siesta had ended, so
Mrs. Fabian went out to rouse him.

"Eh, what did you say?" exclaimed he, jumping up.

"I want you to tell me how much are a few picture-frames which we found
in a corner."

"Oh, anything you like. How much do you think they are wuth?" was his
reply.

Mrs. Fabian smiled pleasantly. "That is not what I said. You are