AUCTIONEER. [Turning with surprise and looking up to receive HILLCRIST'S nod] Thank you, sir. And two. Seven thousand two hundred. [He screws himself round so as to command both HILLCRIST and HORNBLOWER] May I have yours, sir? [HORNBLOWER] And three. [HILLCRIST] And four. Seven thousand four hundred. For seven thousand four hundred. [HORNBLOWER] Five. [HILLCRIST] Six. For seven thousand six hundred. [A pause] Well, gen'lemen, this is. better, but a record property shid fetch a record price. The possibilities are enormous. [HORNBLOWER] Eight thousand did you say, sir? Eight thousand. Going for eight thousand pounds. [HILLCRIST] And one. [HORNBLOWER] And two. [HILLCRIST] And three. [HORNBLOWER] And four. [HILLCRIST] And five. For eight thousand five hundred. A wonderful property for eight thousand five hundred. [He wipes his brow.] JILL. [Whispering] Oh, Dodo! MRS. H. That's enough, Jack, we must stop some time. AUCTIONEER. For eight thousand five hundred. Once--[Taps]--twice-- [Taps] [HORNBLOWER] Six hundred. [HILLCRIST] Seven. May I have yours, sir? [HORNBLOWER] Eight. HILLCRIST. Nine thousand. [MRS. HILLCRIST looks at him, biting her lips, but he is quite absorbed.] AUCTIONEER. Nine thousand for this astounding property. Why, the Duke would pay that if he realised he'd be overlooked. Now, Sir? [To HORNBLOWER. No response]. Just a little raise on that. [No response.] For nine thousand. The Centry, Deepwater, for nine thousand. Once--[Taps] Twice----[Taps]. JILL. [Under her breath] Ours! A VOICE. [From far back in the centre] And five hundred. AUCTIONEER. [Surprised and throwing out his arms towards the voice] And five hundred. For nine thousand five hundred. May I have yours, sir? [He looks at HORNBLOWER. No response.] [The SOLICITOR speaks to him. MRS. H. [Whispering] It must be the Duke again.] HILLCRIST. [Passing his hand over his brow] That's stopped him, anyway. AUCTIONEER. [Looking at HILLCRIST] For nine thousand five hundred? [HILLCRIST shakes his head.] Once more. The Centry, Deepwater, for nine thousand five hundred. Once--[Taps] Twice--[Taps] [He pauses and looks again at HORNBLOWER and HILLCRIST] For the last time--at nine thousand five hundred. [Taps] [With a look towards the bidder] Mr. Smalley. Well! [With great satisfaction] That's that! No more to-day, gen'lemen. [The AUCTIONEER and SOLICITOR busy themselves. The room begins to empty.] MRS. H. Smalley? Smalley? Is that the Duke's agent? Jack! HILLCRIST. [Coming out of a sort of coma, after the excitement he has been going through] What! What! JILL. Oh, Dodo! How splendidly you stuck it! HILLCRIST. Phew! What a squeak! I was clean out of my depth. A mercy the Duke chipped in again. MRS. H. [Looking at ROLF and CHLOE, who are standing up as if about to go] Take care; they can hear you. Find DAWKER, Jack.