There he lay in a deep sleep! She sprang to the bedside, seized and shook the arm of the sleeper.
"Uncle! uncle! wake, for God's sake, wake! the house is on fire!"
"Hum-m-m-e!" muttered the old man, giving a great heave and plunge, and turning over into a heavier sleep than before.
"Uncle! uncle! You will be burned to death if you don't wake up!" cried
Jacquelina, shaking him violently.
"Humph! Yes, Jacquelina! um—um—um—Grim! um—um—Luckenough!" muttered the dreamer, flinging about his great arms.
"Luckenough is in flames! Uncle! wake! wake!" she cried, shaking him frantically.
"Ah! ha! yes! d—d little rascal is at her tricks again!" he said, laughing in his sleep.
At that moment there was the sound of a falling rafter in the adjoining room. Every instant was worth a life, and there he lay in a sodden, hopeless sleep.
Suddenly Sans Souci ran to the ewer; it was empty. There was no time to be lost! every second was invaluable! He must be instantly roused, and Jacquelina was not fastidious as to the means in doing so!
Leaping upon the bolster behind his great, stupid head, she reached over, and, seizing the mass of his gray, grizzly beard, she pulled up the wrong way with all her might, until, roaring with pain, he started up in a fury, and, seeing her, exclaimed: