“Don’t you worry ’bout me. Go ahead an’ I’ll follow,” Nancy Rextrew said, and grabbing Eva’s other arm, the two half pushed and half carried her between them. Once outside, her blind terror suddenly left her, and she declared herself all right.
“Well, then, let’s get out of this,” and Lena’s sharp elbows forced a passage through the crowd that was increasing every minute, as the rumour of fire spread. She turned to old Nancy. “We’ll get you on a car—My goodness, Eva, catch hold of her quick! We must get her into the drug store there on the corner,” she ended as she saw the old woman’s face.
They got her into the drug store somehow, and then for the first time in her life Nancy Rextrew fainted; and great was her mortification when she came to herself and realised what had happened.
“My soul and body!” she muttered. “I always did despise women that didn’t know no better than to faint, an’ now I’m one of ’em. Gi’ me my Injy shawl an’ let me get away. Yes, I be well enough to go home, too!” She struggled to her feet, and snatching her bonnet from Eva, crammed it on her head anyhow, fumbling with the strings while she swayed dizzily.
“Here, let me tie them,” Eva said gently. “You sit down so I can reach.” She tied the strings very slowly, pulled the old bonnet straight and drew the India shawl over the thin shoulders, taking as much time as she could, to give the old woman a chance to pull herself together.
“I’ll take her home,” Lena said.
“No, you won’t—that’s my job!” Eva spoke with unusual decision, and Lena promptly yielded.
“Well—I guess you’re right. I guess if it hadn’t been for her——”
“Yes,” said Eva, and her look made further words unnecessary.
The three walked out to the car a few minutes later. The fire in the picture theatre had been quickly put out, and already the crowd in the street was melting away. Nancy looked up and down the wide avenue brilliant with its many electric lights; then as she saw the car coming she turned to Lena, her pale face crinkling into sudden laughter.