“Oh, Daddy!” cried Jan, in alarm. It seemed a terrible thing to know that her father’s store was burning.
As for Mrs. Martin, after she had dropped the stocking, she sat looking at her husband, not knowing what to say.
Ted cried:
“Send for the fire engines!”
“They’re already there!” said Mr. Martin, as he ran from the room.
“I’m coming!” shouted Ted, following his father.
“No, you mustn’t go! Stay here!” commanded his mother.
“I got a little fire engine!” was what Trouble said. He did not understand that a big engine, pumping much water, was needed to put out a large fire.
“Please, Mother, I just got to go!” pleaded Ted, as he reached the door, out of which his father had hurried. “I want to help daddy!”
Mrs. Martin was too dazed and surprised to say again that Teddy should not go. She knew that he wanted to help, and he also wanted to see a fire. Any boy would.