Part 14 (2/2)

”Run, Phil!” she called. ”Run for your mother!”

And then with a presence of mind that, when he heard the tale, Grandfather considered remarkable, she picked up the pitcher of lemonade and emptied it over the blaze.

Phil ran screaming downstairs.

”The house is on fire and the mouse is burned up! Mamma, Mamma, come quick! The mouse is on fire and the house is burned up!”

When Mrs. Vane reached the nursery, she found the fire out, the closet floor covered with lemonade, Jack-in-the-box burned to a crisp, and Susan, with s.h.i.+ning eyes, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, but able after a moment to tell her story.

”But, child,” said Mrs. Vane, when she had made sure that the fire was completely out and that the only article damaged was the unfortunate Jack-in-the-box, ”which one of you had matches, and what has become of Phil? Who had the match, Susan?”

Ah, that was the question that Phil dared not face, and that had caused him to hide himself securely behind the big sofa in the parlor where no one went in cold weather except for a special reason.

But at last he was found, and, standing before his mother, listened with drooping head to the truths his own conscience had already told him.

”I think you have found out for yourself, Phil, why a little boy should never touch matches,” said Mrs. Vane soberly. ”If it hadn't been for Susan, our house might have been burned to the ground. I'm sure I don't know what your father would say if he were here.”

Phil's eyes grew gla.s.sy at the very thought, but he said nothing.

Indeed, there was nothing he could say in excuse.

”You have spoiled your party, and ruined your Jack-in-the-box,” went on his mother. ”And, now, after hiding so long in that chilly room, you will have to go straight to bed so that you won't take cold.”

At this Phil's tears burst forth, and Susan was moved to pity.

”Oh, dear,” said she, with an arm about Phil's heaving shoulders, ”he will never touch the matches again, will you, Philly? Tell your mother you won't.”

”N-n-no,” blubbered Phil dismally.

Mrs. Vane smiled down at the small sinner's comforter.

”It seems too bad that Susan shouldn't have her refreshments,” she remarked,-”especially since she put out the fire.”

And in a very few moments Susan was sitting on the edge of Phil's bed, and both were drinking hot chocolate and eating the party sponge cakes.

”Hadn't you better thank Susan for putting out the fire and saving our house from burning down?” asked Mrs. Vane, as, a little later, she helped Susan into her waterproof. She wanted to drive the lesson home, and impress upon Phil's mind the danger they had so narrowly escaped.

”Thank you, Susan,” returned Phil obediently. ”But I'm going to do something nice for you to-morrow,” he added. ”I'm going to give you my 'touch b.u.t.ton,' you see.”

CHAPTER X-THE VISIT

Grandfather and Susan were going on a visit to the Town of Banbury.

They were to stay at the house of Grandfather's friend, Mr. Spargo, and Susan was delighted at the thought, for once Mr. Spargo had spent a whole week at Featherbed Lane and with him had come his little daughter Letty, just Susan's age.

Susan remembered the good times they had had together, and now she could scarcely wait for the day to come when she would see Letty Spargo again.

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