f, but
Mrs. Fabian took advantage of the situation.

"I've needed a pair of candle-sticks for some time, and I'll exchange a
lamp for your auction bargain which you say has paid for itself, by this
time."

"What! Don't you want your lamp?" exclaimed the lady, aghast at such a
statement.

"Well, I have no further use for one, and it would look lovely on your
marble-top table," returned Mrs. Fabian.

"Well, well! How long will it take you to get it from home?" asked the
woman, anxiously.

"If you really wish to get rid of the candle-sticks and jug, I'll leave
the quarter you paid originally for them and go for the lamp at once.
Maybe I can be back in an hour's time. I'll pay for the eggs, too, and
leave them until I come back," explained Mrs. Fabian, graciously.

Without wasting an extra word or any precious time, the owner of the rare
old candle-sticks wrapped them in a bit of newspaper and went for the
glass pitcher. Mrs. Fabian had no idea of the extra item being worth
anything, but she included it, more for fun, than anything else. But once
they saw the tiny glass jug with Sheffield grape-design on its sides,
they all realized that here was a wonderful "find."

Mrs. Fabian seemed uneasy until she had the paper package in her hand and
had paid the twenty-five cents for the three pieces of glassware. Then
Eleanor made a suggestion.

"Why couldn't we wait here, Mrs. Fabian, and look at some of the old
china the lady has in this cupboard, while you go for the lamp. There's
no sense in all of us going with you."

"That's a good plan, if Mrs.----" Nancy waited for the lady to mention
her name.

"I'm Mrs. Tomlinson," said she, politely.

"If Mrs. Tomlinson is not too busy to show us her dear old house," added
Nancy.

"All right, girls. Is that satisfactory?" asked Mrs. Fabian. "How does it
appeal to you, Mrs. Tomlinson?"

"Oh, now that that bread is risin', I've got time to burn," declared the
lady, independently.

"All right. We'll visit here while you get the lamp," agreed the girls,
deeply concerned to know where their chaperone would find a lamp such as
Mrs. Tomlinson craved.

Mrs. Fabian left, and invited the child swinging on the gate to drive
with her as far as Stamford. The little girl, pleased at the opportunity,
ran for her bonnet and told her ma of the wonderful invitation.

Mrs. Tomlinson signified her consent to Sarah's going, and then gave her
full attention to showing her company the hous