dear, when I sets me mind t' wonderment, conclusions arrive--constant!
I'll tell ye what I think. First, he ain't s' poor as he seems--he wears
silk socks, my dear. Second, he's been nurtured tender--he cleans them
white teeth night an' morn. Third, he ain't done no toil-an'-spinnin'
act--take heed t' his hands, my dear. He's soft-spoke but he's
masterful. He's young, but he's seen a lot. He ain't easy t' rile, but
when he is--my land! He don't say a lot, an' he don't seem t' do much,
an' yet--he don't seem t' starve none. Result--he may be anything!"

"Anything? Ann, dear!"

"Anything!" repeated Mrs. Trapes. "An' havin' studied him good an'
heeded him careful, I now conclood he's jest the thing you need, my
dear."

"Then you like him, Ann--you trust him?"

"I sure do."

"Oh, you dear--dear--dear thing!" And once again Mrs. Trapes was clasped
in those vigorous young arms and kissed with every "dear."

"Though, mind you," said Mrs. Trapes, pushing cup and saucer out of
harm's way, "though, mind you, he's a mystery I ain't found out--yet. D'
ye s'pose he made any money out o' them blessed peanuts--not him! Mrs.
Smalley, as lives down along 'Leventh, she told me as she's seen him
givin' 'em away by the bagful t' all the children down her
way--repeated!"

"How sweet of him!" said Hermione, her red mouth all tender curves.