a merry time together until tea-time. Then, after
tea, Laura's older sister, Florrie, told them stories. Beth was simply
fascinated. She could listen forever, she thought, and not grow weary.
Florrie made her characters live by the magic of her voice and words.

Just before it was time for the children to retire, Florrie took down
the Bible and read a chapter to them.

Then the children went up-stairs to bed. They had a pillow fight after
they were in their night-dresses. Sad to relate, in the scuffle, their
clothes were strewn around the room, and Beth carelessly failed to
gather hers together again.

They talked in bed until Mrs. Corner called to them to stop. Laura
soon fell asleep, but Beth's heart, again, grew heavy. She missed the
good-night kiss from her mamma, and tears rose to her eyes. She tried
not to sob for fear of awakening Laura. Minutes seemed hours to her.
She realized more than ever the depth of her love for her mother, and
she resolved in future to be the best girl alive. That resolve somehow
quieted her so that she fell asleep and forgot her heartache in
pleasant dreams. She dreamed that it was the day after the morrow, and
that Julia had come with stilts so high that they touched the clouds.
Beth walked on them without the least difficulty; then, all of a
sudden, she dropped them, and found herself flying with the utmost
ease. She wondered she had never tried it before; it was so very
delightful to fly. But, suddenly, the clouds turned into smoke and
fire. Beth awakened with a start. The room was very light, as light
as if it was broad daylight.

Beth gave Laura a poke, "Laura, it must be late. See how light it is."

Laura jumped out of bed, and, running to one of the windows, raised the
curtain. Both of the children cried out in fright then. Flames shot
and curled to the very window of their room. Laura could not tell
whether their house was on fire or not. She feared so, and the house
next door was one mass of flames.

Beth sprang out of bed, too.

"Mamma, mamma," screamed Laura. Nobody answered. "Come quick or we'll
burn." Still only the crackling of the flames could be heard.

"They've forgotten us," cried Beth with chattering teeth. "Laura, you
know the way down-stairs, don't you? Let's go."

"We must dress first," answered Laura.

Beth stamped her foot. "I'm not going to wait to dress. Besides, I
don't know where my things are. Oh, why didn't I mind mamma