The collector continued.
“A machine can be unsuitable for ordinary farm use and still be historically important. But first we need to establish exactly what it is, how it was built, and whether the serial number belongs to the original frame.”
May listened carefully.
That was what her father always taught her.
Never confuse a possibility with proof.
She looked toward the collector.
“Can you help us find out?”
He smiled.
“I'd very much like to.”
The auctioneer stepped forward.
“Not until the ownership issue is settled.”
The estate executor looked toward him.
“What ownership issue?”
He hesitated.
Then he said, “The buyer's age.”
May's aunt raised the registration card again.
“We've already settled that.”
The executor turned toward the payment clerk.
“Prepare the receipt.”
The auctioneer stared.
“You're making a mistake.”
She looked directly at him.
“Then you should explain the mistake without shouting at a child.”
The room became quiet.
The clerk began preparing the paperwork.
The auctioneer remained motionless.
His face had turned an unhealthy shade of red.
He had spent weeks imagining that the tractor would disappear into Earl's storage yard, where he could purchase it privately and resell it through the machinery broker.
Now an eleven-year-old girl had interrupted the arrangement.
Worse, she had identified the machine in front of witnesses.
And his attempt to cancel the sale was making everyone suspicious.
The executor looked toward May.
“Did you really save fifty-five dollars to buy this?”
May nodded.
“Yes, ma'am.”
“Why?”
May looked down at the notebook.
“Because my grandfather wrote about it.”
The woman studied her.
Then her expression softened.
“My uncle knew your grandfather.”
May looked surprised.
“He did?”
“Oh, yes.”
The executor smiled faintly.
“They worked on equipment together when they were young.”
May's eyes widened.
“Did your uncle ever talk about this tractor?”
The woman looked toward the machine.
“Not that I remember. But he kept it for decades, even when everyone told him to haul it away.”
The elderly collector became interested.
“Did he keep any paperwork?”
The executor considered the question.
“There were several boxes of old farm records. Most are still at the house.”
The collector nodded.