Ralph turned away with his relish for new delicacies embittered by
another reminder of his worldly deficiencies.

"I never know'd before how ignorant we mountain folks are. Even that
foreign girl as can hardly talk at all, laughed at my way of doing."
He dropped the bananas into the paper bag holding the gingerbread, and
frowned heavily. Then he set his lips firmly together. "I will not
let 'em down me this way. I'll learn their ways or die a trying."

After enunciating this resolve, he felt better. Presently he sat down
on a door step at the entrance to an alley and ate his lunch with a
better appetite.

"These--what was it she called 'em?--these bernanas ain't so bad after
all," he said to himself. "Taste a little like apples, seems like."

While he sat there some bells began ringing furiously and a steam fire
engine rushed by. The smoke, flame, roar and speed, stirred his blood,
while the singular, not to say splendid, appearance of the outfit, with
its bright brass work and powerful horses, was at once fascinating and
terrible.

Having finished his lunch he followed the crowd that was surging along
the street and presently came in sight of the burning building, which
was a large cotton warehouse. He soon was in the midst of a pushing,
noisy mass of people, with eyes only for the fire, the rolling smoke,
and the puffing engines.

Suddenly he felt a touch upon his person, which, though light as