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Trapes."
"What things?"
"Well--to my wife, in the first place."
"Oh, Mr. Geoffrey, you make me tired!"
"Alas, Mrs. Trapes, I frequently grow tired of myself."
Mrs. Trapes turned away to give her attention to the ham.
"Did ye see that b'y Arthur yesterday?" she enquired presently over her
shoulder.
"Yes."
"How's he like his noo job?"
"Well, I can't say that he seems--er--fired with a passion for it."
"Office work, ain't it?"
"I believe it is."
"Well, you mark my words, that b'y won't keep it a week."
"Oh, I don't know," said Ravenslee, "he seemed quite content."
"You took him to the theayter las' night, didn't you? Wastin' your good
money, eh?"
"Not very much, Mrs. Trapes," said her lodger humbly.
Mrs. Trapes sniffed. "Anyway, it's a good thing you had him safe out o'
the way, as it happens."
"Why?"
"Because that loafer M'Ginnis was hanging around for him all the
evenin'. Even had the dratted imperence to come in here an' ask me where
he was."
"And what did you tell him?"
"Tell him?" she repeated.


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