Geoffrey. How'll b'iled salmon an' peas soot?"

"Splendidly! And I think--"

"'On and after,'" said Mrs. Trapes, slowly and dreamily, "'on and after
the above date, all tenants soever residin'--I've learned it by heart,
Mr. Geoffrey. Then it goes on to say, 'within the tennyment house known
as Mulligan's are warned'--hum! I wonder why 'warned'?--'are warned that
all rents will be re-dooced by fifty per cent!' Fifty per cent!" she
repeated in a dreamy rapture, "which is jest half, y' see. An', Mr.
Geoffrey, that's jest what's got me plumb scared--it's all so
unnacheral. I've heard o' rents bein' rose--constant, but who ever
heard of 'em bein' took down before? Well, well! My land! Well, well!"

With which remark Mrs. Trapes went about her household duties, leaving
Ravenslee to lounge and smoke and dream blissfully of Hermione.

"Y' see," said Mrs. Trapes, wandering in with a plate, "it'll make
things s' much easier for all of us; we shall begin t' feel almost
rich--some of us. 'Are warned that all rents will be re-dooced by fifty
per cent.' Well, well!" and she wandered out again.

But presently she was back once more, this time with the tablecloth,
which she proceeded to spread, though still lost in dreamy abstraction.

"At first I couldn't an' I wouldn't believe it, Mr. Geoffrey--no, sir!"
she continued in the same rapt voice. "But every one's got a notice same
as mine, so I guess it must be true--don't ye think?"

"Not a doubt of it!" answered Ravenslee.