know　that　your　teachers　have　gone　over　the　procedures

with　you　in　homeroom；　but　I've　been　asked　to　remind　you　of　a　few　things：　This　is　a　civilized

proceeding。　No　whistling；　catcalls；　or　other　degrading

behavior　will　be　tolerated。　If　you　wish　to　place　a　bid；　you　must　raise　your　hand　high。　Bidding

without　raising　your　hand　is　prohibited；　and　should　you

decide　to　be　a　funny　guy；　you　will　be　caught　and　detained　or　suspended。　Are　we　all　clear　on

that？　Good。”　She　looked　from　one　side　of　the　gym　to

the　other。　“Teachers；　I　see　that　you　are　in　position。”

Six　hundred　heads　turned　slowly　from　side　to　side；　looking　at　the　blockade　of　teachers　on

either　side　of　the　gym。

“Man；”　Darla　whispered；　“they're　not　leaving　much　room　for　fun；　are　they？”

Mrs。　McClure　continued；　“Minimum　bid　is　ten　dollars；　and　of　course；　the　sky's　the　limit；　but

we　don't　accept　IOUs。”　She　pointed　to　her　right。

“Winning　bidders　should　go　directly　to　the　table　at　the　north　door　when　I　declare　the　basket　to

be　sold。　And　as　you're　aware；　winners　and　their

basket　boys　have　the　rest　of　the　school　day　off　and　are　exempt　from　tonight's　homework　in

all　classes。”　She　smiled　out　at　the　blockade。　“Teachers；

we　appreciate　your　support　on　this。

“All　right；　then！”　She　put　on　her　reading　glasses　and　looked　at　a　three…by…five　card。　“Our　first

basket　has　been　brought　by　Jeffrey　Bisho。”　She

looked　over　her　glasses　at　him　and　said；　“e　on　up；　Jeffrey。　Don't　be　shy！”　He　inched

forward　as　she　continued。　“Jeffrey　has　brought　a

scrumptious　lunch　consisting　of　chicken　salad　sandwiches；　oriental　noodles；　baby　grapes；

iced　tea；　and　fortune　cookies。”　She　smiled　at　him　over