"Because, Mr. Geoffrey, this day it behooveth us all t' think of our
souls an' th' hereafter, I reckon."

"Souls?" said Ravenslee, staring in his turn.

"Fire," she continued, shaking portentous head, "fire I'm prepared for;
a earthquake I could endoor; battle, murder, and sudden death I could
abide; poverty is me lot, Mr. Geoffrey, an' hardship is me portion, an'
for all sich am I dooly prepared, sich things bein' nacheral; but fer
this--well, there!"

"What is the matter, Mrs. Trapes?"

"Matter, Mr. Geoffrey? Well, the millenyum's at hand, that's all--the
lion is about t' lay down with th' lamb, tigers has lost their taste fer
blood, an' snakes an' serpints has shed their vennymous fangs! Mr.
Geoffrey--the day is at hand--beware!"

"What in the world--" began Ravenslee, but Mrs. Trapes stayed him with
uplifted skewer, and drew from the mysterious recesses of her apron a
folded circular which she proceeded to spread open and from which she
read in a hollow voice as follows:

NOTICE AUGUST 1, 1910.

On and after the above date, all tenants soever residing within the
tenement house known as Mulligan's are warned that all rents will be
reduced by fifty per cent.

BY ORDER.