"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.
"Now what," said Mrs. Trapes, refolding the circular very reverently and shutting it into the testament, "jest what d'ye think o' that?"
"Quite a—er—remarkable document, Mrs. Trapes!"
"Remarkable?" snorted Mrs. Trapes.
"Yes," said Ravenslee, beginning to fill his pipe, "extraordinary, most extraordinary—er—very much so—"
"Extraordinary? Mr. Geoffrey, is that all you got t' say about it?" And Mrs. Trapes sniffed loudly.
"Well, what more should I say?"