which had been his home was to take place.

In a country town, an auction-however inconsiderable-draws together
an interested company of friends and neighbors; and, though no
articles of value were to be sold, this was the case at the present
sale.

Philip didn't at first mean to be present. He thought it would only
give him pain; but at the last moment he came, having been requested
to do so by Squire Pope, as information might be required which he
could give.

The bulk of the furniture was soon disposed of, at low prices, to be
sure, but sufficiently high to make it clear that enough would be
realized to pay the small bills outstanding.

Philip's lip quivered when his father's watch was put up. He would
have liked to buy it, but this was impossible; for he had only about
a dollar of his own.

Nick Holden's eyes sparkled when he saw the watch. He had forgotten
about that, but as soon as he saw it he coveted it. He had a cheap
silver watch of his own, which he had bought secondhand about three
years before. He had thought that he might some day possess a gold
watch, but he was not willing to lay out the necessary sum of money.

By dint of actual meanness, he had laid up two hundred dollars,
which he now had in the savings-bank in the next village, and he
could therefore have bought one if he had chosen; but, like Gilpin,