"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."
"And my Tom's that excited he couldn't eat no supper—oh, an' have ye seen in t'night's paper, Ann, about Mulligan's?"