"Beth—Julia," cried two mothers the same second, as they rushed from the carriage and gathered two blanketed figures to their hearts. Tears of relief and thankfulness flowed thick and fast.
"It's terrible that our lovely home is gone," cried Beth.
"In evil there is good. You are safe, my darling," her mother murmured.
The fathers felt no less keenly the escape of their beloved children, but expressed themselves less emotionally. Marian could get hardly any one to notice her, but finally managed to say so as to be heard:
"I don't think they ought to be standing around with bare feet, and blankets wrapped around them."
"You must all come home with us," cried Mrs. Gordon. "I will not accept a refusal. We have a great abundance of room."
Already the fire was beginning to die down, and Mr. Davenport saw that no good could be accomplished by remaining longer.
"January, I want you to watch to see that no damage is done by sparks," he said.
"Sparks won't have no sort of chance wid me aroun', massa."
Room was made in the carriage for the two children, and the horses were started in the direction of the Gordon homestead. For a few moments, in the excitement of telling about the fire, Beth forgot all about Duke. They were almost at the Gordons' door when she thought of him. She looked hastily back, half hoping he might be following, and to her joy saw him directly behind the carriage. Beth pleaded to be allowed to take her beloved dog up to Julia's room with them. Julia added her entreaties, and the children were permitted to do as they wished in the matter.