Standing up slowly, Mimi tiptoed to the edge of the porch roof. The tin roof crackled under her bare feet but she went on toward the increasing brightness. Climbing on the rail and leaning over, she saw.
The kitchen roof was on fire!
CHAPTER XXII
THE LAST OF PREP HALL
Sheridan School’s main building was shaped like a “U.” Beginning as a three story brick building it had grown, rather like Topsy. Wings had been added as the school grew. The original building which had been the old Seminary for young ladies was now only one long side of the “U.” Mimi knew it as Prep Hall. The back end of the original first floor was the dining hall. The one story kitchen had been tagged on later.
She knew, too, that the whole ell of Prep Hall was so old it was a regular fire trap. Since this was the last year for preparatory students there had already been talk of tearing this old ell down. Plans for remodeling had been submitted to Dr. Barnes. As soon as the swimming pool was finished, modernizing Prep Hall was the next thing on the building program.
For one terrifying moment Mimi stood transfixed, holding tight to the colonial railing of the roof. She strained forward. The smoke was rolling now. She did not want to broadcast a false alarm. She must be sure. When she first glimpsed the smoke she thought the cooks might be starting breakfast fires in the old coal ranges. Any doubt she might have had, fled now. A blaze leaped skyward and Mimi acted.
As a complete picture of his past life runs through the mind of a drowning person, so in that frantic moment of hesitation a complete plan of what she must do electrified Mimi into action.
Without grabbing her terry cloth robe or without awakening the girls on the roof whom she knew were safe for the time being, she leaped through the window. Two things she must do and every second’s delay could mean the loss of life and property.
First she must reach the office!
Through the window, out the door of Tumble Inn, patter, patter down the hall to the first stairs. So far so good. She knew every inch of the way. Taking two steps at a time she reached the landing safely. But here she stumbled.