Several people in the front row actually gasped out loud.

Mr.

Henderson stopped tapping his teeth and stared at me with his mouth open.

Jumping straight to a maximum bid outside the auctioneer’s rhythm was very unusual.

It forced everyone to stop and work out the sudden jump.

Denny gripped the railing of the hay wagon tightly.

He looked down at me, then across the yard at the Grand Island rep.

He pointed the gavel at the man in the wool coat.