Mrs. Hassal held his arm. “As if that matters,” she answered indignantly.
“But there’s something I rather prize in it,” he said; “there’s no danger,—see, I’ll have the blanket this time.”
[272]
]He flung it round his head and shoulders, and went through the window again.
“Catch!” he cried, and threw the rough serge coat far out to them.
“[THE BOY SEIZED HIM BY THE SHOULDERS AND DRAGGED HIM OUT THROUGH THE BLAZING GAP.]”
They saw him in the burning window putting his arms up to dive out. But even as he did so there was a crash and fall—a great burning rafter had dropped from the ceiling.
[273]
]Bunty was the hero now. He put his coat over his head and dashed into the room.
Mr. Gillet had fallen just inside, the blanket still around him.
With incredible strength and courage [the boy seized] him by the shoulders, dragged him out through the blazing gap and into safety, amid the shouts of the awakened neighbours, who had come too late to be of use.