They had got nearly to the end of the wharf at which the schooner
lay, when Ruth asked Mark if he had any money.

"No," said he, "not a cent. I forgot all about it. Just wait here
a minute while I run back and get some from mother."

"Well," said Ruth, "if boys ain't the very carelessest!" But Mark
was out of hearing before she finished.

While she waited for him, Ruth looked in at the open door of a
very little house, where several colored women were making
beautiful flowers out of tiny shells and glistening fish-scales.
She became so much interested in their work that she was almost
sorry when Mark came running back, quite out of breath, and
gasped, "I've got it! Now let's hurry up!"

Turning to the left from the head of the wharf, they walked
quickly through the narrow streets until they came to a square, on
one corner of which quite a crowd of people were collected. They
were all listening attentively to a little man with a big voice,
who stood on a box in front of them and who was saying as fast as
he could,

"Forty, forty, forty. Shall I have the five? Yes, sir; thank you.
Forty-five, five, five--who says fifty? Fifty, fifty, forty-five--
going, going, gone! and sold at forty-five to Mr.--Beg pardon; the
name, sir? Of course, certainly! And now comes the finest lot of
oranges ever offered for sale in Key West. What am I bid per
hundred for them? Who makes me an offer? I am a perfect Job for