"I--I'm not going to," and Beth jumped to her feet.

Laura began crying: "You're very wicked, Beth Davenport, and we'll burn
to death, and it'll all be your fault."

"We won't burn if you'll come with me into the street. I'm going
anyway."

"Why, children, what are you doing here?" asked Mrs. Corner, coming
into the parlor.

Laura rushed to her mamma and threw her arms around her neck.

"Oh, mamma, we thought you'd forgotten us, and would let us burn to
death."

"Why, you poor little things. Of course, I hadn't forgotten you. Our
house is not on fire. The fire is next door. We've been over there
helping, and we thought we would not waken you unless there was danger
of this house burning. They're getting the flames under control.
Charlie has been working with wet blankets to keep our roof from
catching. Now, children, you must go back to bed. Come, I'll go up
with you."

When the two were again in bed and alone, Beth said;

"Laura, you ought to want to make up for calling me wicked."

"I guess you aren't wicked, after all, for God didn't let us burn. I'm