as you're leavin' Mulligan's now the rent's been took down--re-dooced
fifty per cent.--by order?"

"That's just what I'm tellin' ye--oh, Ann, ain't it just--heavenly!"

"Heavenly!" repeated Mrs. Trapes, and sank into a chair.

"Yes, heavenly t' see th' trees an' flowers again--t' live among them,
Ann."

"Samanthy Bowker--what do you mean?"

"Why, Ann, my Tom's had a gardener's job offered him at a gentleman's
mansion in the country. Tom went after it t'day--an' got it. Fifteen
dollars a week an' a cottage--free, Ann! Hazel's just crazy with
joy--an' so'm I!"

Mrs. Trapes fanned herself feebly with her apron.

"All I can say is," said she faintly, "if the world don't come to an end
soon--I shall. A gardener's job! A cottage in th' country! Why, that's
what you've been hungerin' for, you an' Bowker, ever since I've known
ye. And to-day--it's come! An' to-day the rent's re-dooced itself fifty
per cent. by order--oh, dear land o' my fathers! When d' ye go?"

"T'morrow mornin', Ann. Hazel'll sure grow a strong, well girl in th'
country--doctor said so last week--you heard him, Mr. Geoffrey, didn't
you?"

"I did, Mrs. Bowker."