"But you don't expect to succeed. Tell me the truth."
"I shan't give up, ma'am, but I am afraid that all the chances are against us!"
Bang! Bang! went Dick's shoulders against the panels. He was aching now from his hopeless exertions.
Yet, every time that he paused he heard the crackling of the flames outside. The sound told him that the woodwork had caught at last.
"Dick!"
"Yes, ma'am."
"I'm quite calm now."
"I'm glad to hear that, Mrs. Dexter."
"I've stopped thinking of myself, Dick. I know that my little Myra is asleep. She'll suffocate, and won't wake up to know any pain."
"But where's your housekeeper?"