“This sawdust is mighty hard-packed, and feet deep,” interrupted Tom. “The fire might be deep down.”
“Why, Tom! How ridiculously you talk!” cried the girl. “Didn't I tell you I saw the smoke coming out of the top of a tree? Fire couldn't be deep down in the sawdust and the smoke come out of the tree top.”
“Couldn't, heh?” returned Tom. “Dead tree, wasn't it?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Hollow, too, of course?”
“I don't know.”
“Might be hollow clear through its length,” Tom explained seriously. “The butt might be all rotted out. Just a tough shell of a tree standing there, and 'twould be a fine chimney if the fire was smouldering down at its old roots.”
“Oh, Tom! I never thought of such a thing,” gasped Nan.
“And you don't see the tree now?”
“Let me look! Let me look!” cried Nan, conscience-stricken.