Buffer says, “So did I”; but can find nobody to care whether he did or not.

“And what was it like?” inquires Veneering.

“I assure you,” replies Brewer, looking about for anybody else to address his answer to, and giving the preference to Lightwood; “I assure you, the things were going for a song. Handsome things enough, but fetching nothing.”

“So I heard this afternoon,” says Lightwood.

Brewer begs to know now, would it be fair to ask a professional man how⁠—on⁠—earth⁠—these⁠—people⁠—ever⁠—did⁠—come⁠— to ⁠—such⁠— a ⁠—total smash? (Brewer’s divisions being for emphasis.)