The galloping of horses, blowing of horns, and shouting of excited men, now became audible. The glare of the fire could probably be seen by this time clear to Lumberton, and half the population of the suburbs on this side of the town would soon be on the scene.
Not until the firemen actually arrived did the girls in the big hall know what had happened. There had been singing and music and a funny recitation by one girl, to while away the time until Mrs. Tellingham appeared. Just as Ruth came in, her chum had her violin under her chin and was drawing sweet sounds from the strings, holding the other girls breathless.
But the violin music broke off suddenly and several girls uttered startled cries as the first of the fire trucks thundered past the windows.
"Oh!" shrieked somebody, "there is a fire!"
"Quite true, young ladies!" exclaimed Miss Brokaw, tartly. "And it is not the first fire since the world began. Ruth has just come from it. She will tell you what it is all about."
"Oh, Ruth!" cried Helen. "Is it the dormitory?"
"Give her time to speak," commanded the teacher.
"Which dormitory?" cried Heavy Stone.
"Now, be quiet—do," begged Ruth, stepping upon the platform, and controlling herself admirably. "Don't scream. None of us can do a thing. The firemen will do all that can be done"
"They'll about save the cellar. They always do," groaned the irrepressible Heavy.