"I see," said Nan, trying to speak calmly.
"They're falling right on those poor people—do, do look!" gasped Bess.
There was an open space between the young folks from the Mason house and the crowd that was wedged into the exit at the head of the main aisle. Upon this mob was pouring smoke and sparks. The flames ate up the bunting with which the balcony rail and pillars were decorated. The burning cloth floated down upon the heads of the excited people and threatened to set the dresses of some afire.
Pearl Graves had actually fainted in her seat. Linda lay across her cousin, sobbing and groaning. The rest of their party, whoever they were, had deserted the two girls.
"What under the sun shall we do, Nan?" whispered Walter, and Nan read the words on his lips rather than heard them; for the burning theatre was by this time a scene of pandemonium.
CHAPTER XXX
A FRESH OUTLOOK
Nan had already made up her mind what they must do. Despite the spread of the fire—and the heat of the flames already scorched their faces—she saw there was no escape for them by the front door of the building. And the chair-backs shut them off from the side exit.
"Get over the seat-back, Walter," Nan commanded. "Haul your sister and
Bess over. I can climb over myself and take little Inez with me."
"Don't leave us to burn up!" shrieked Linda, wildly, starting up again.
Her ears were keen enough.