Ma Sloane 's patient endeavours of over thirty years had been able to effect only a partial reform . Sometimes Pa heroically refrained from going to an auction for six months at a time ; then he would break out worse than ever , go to all that took place for miles around , and come home with a wagonful of misfits . His last exploit had been to bid on an old dasher churn for five dollars -- the boys `` ran things up '' on Pa Sloane for the fun of it -- and bring it home to outraged Ma , who had made her butter for fifteen years in the very latest , most up-to-date barrel churn . To add insult to injury this was the second dasher churn Pa had bought at auction . That settled it . Ma decreed that henceforth she would chaperon Pa when he went to auctions . But this was the day of Pa 's good angel . When he drove up to the door where Ma was waiting , a breathless , hatless imp of ten flew into the yard , and hurled himself between Ma and the wagon-step . `` Oh , Mrs. Sloane , wo n't you come over to our house at once ? '' he gasped . `` The baby , he 's got colic , and ma 's just wild , and he 's all black in the face . '' Ma went , feeling that the stars in their courses fought against a woman who was trying to do her duty by her husband . But first she admonished Pa. . `` I shall have to let you go alone . But I charge you , Pa , not to bid on anything -- on ANYTHING , do you hear ? '' Pa heard and promised to heed , with every intention of keeping his promise . Then he drove away joyfully . On any other occasion Ma would have been a welcome companion . But she certainly spoiled the flavour of an auction . When Pa arrived at the Carmody store , he saw that the little yard of the Garland place below the hill was already full of people .
The auction had evidently begun ; so , not to miss any more XXXXX it , Pa hurried down .
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