`` I got a supply of them from the egg-pedlar yesterday , '' responded Ma , by a great effort preventing the twinkle from spreading over her entire face . She wondered if this third failure would squelch Pa. . But Pa was not to be squelched . `` Well , anyway , '' he said , brightening up under the influence of a sudden saving inspiration . `` I 'll have to go up to get the sorrel mare shod . So , if you 've any little errands you want done at the store , Ma , just make a memo of them while I hitch up . '' The matter of shoeing the sorrel mare was beyond Ma 's province , although she had her own suspicions about the sorrel mare 's need of shoes . `` Why ca n't you give up beating about the bush , Pa ? '' she demanded , with contemptuous pity . `` You might as well own up what 's taking you to Carmody . I can see through your design . You want to get away to the Garland auction . That is what is troubling you , Pa Sloane . '' `` I dunno but what I might step over , seeing it 's so handy . But the sorrel mare really does need shoeing , Ma , '' protested Pa. . `` There 's always something needing to be done if it 's convenient , '' retorted Ma . `` Your mania for auctions will be the ruin of you yet , Pa. . A man of fifty-five ought to have grown out of such a hankering . But the older you get the worse you get . Anyway , if I wanted to go to auctions , I 'd select them as was something like , and not waste my time on little one-horse affairs like this of Garland 's . ''
`` One might pick up something real cheap XXXXX Garland 's , '' said Pa defensively .
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