"My beautiful new Easter hat. I must go for it."
"Laura Corner, you must not go back for it. We ourselves might burn while you were getting it."
But Laura had thrust her clothes into Beth's unwilling arms, and was off like a flash to rescue her Easter hat. Beth did not know the way sufficiently well to go on by herself, and so, trembling, she awaited Laura's return.
[Illustration: Laura Corner in the treasured Easter hat.]
Laura was soon back, pressing the precious hat close to her side. Such treatment was likely to do it great damage, but, in her excitement, Laura did not stop to think of this.
Down-stairs a light shone in the parlor. Guided by its friendly beams, Laura led the way there. No one was within. The house was deserted but for the two trembling girls.
"Beth, God alone can help us," and Laura's face was almost as white as the Easter hat under her arm.
Beth's lip trembled. "He's so far away. I wish mamma were here."