What two classes of non-conductors were the subjects of conversation on the ride home? Name some examples of animal fibres; of vegetable fibres. Name some examples of fabrics composed of animal fibres; of vegetable fibres. Which class of substances did Mr. Holiday suppose were best non-conductors? What was the first reason which he gave?—the second reason? What did Mr. Holiday say, further, in respect to the operation of the heater? What was the point of analogy between the operation of the heater and Rollo’s pumping? What was the objection to iron as the material for the heater? What other substance did Mr. Holiday suggest? What objection to soapstone did he think of?
CHAPTER XII.
THE CONFLAGRATION.
One night, some months after the occurrences related in the last few chapters, Rollo had an opportunity of witnessing with Jonas a great conflagration in the city. This incident may very properly be described in this volume, which relates to the phenomena of fire.
Jonas and Rollo had gone to the city on some business for Mr. Holiday. Jonas’s orders were to return that night if he could get through with his business; if not, to wait until the next day. It happened that he could not get through with his business, for the man whom he wished to see was not at home. They said he would be at home that night, and that Jonas could see him early the next morning. So they had to spend the night in the city. They took a walk in the evening, doing some errands, and looking at the curious things in the shop windows; and at last they went back to the hotel, and retired to bed. Jonas had engaged a room for himself very near Rollo’s room.
Rollo did not go to sleep for some time, his mind being somewhat excited by the novelty of the scenes which he had been witnessing, and by the strange place in which he was now trying to go to sleep. At length, however, he got asleep, and dreamed that he was buying a large and beautiful rocking-horse for Nathan, at one of the toy-shops in the city,—and was just mounting the rocking-horse to take a little ride himself, when his visions were disturbed by hearing some strange, confused, and terrifying sounds. He started up and listened. There seemed to be a great sound in the street, and a bright light was flashing and moving upon the wall over his head. He also heard a noise at the door of his room; and, before he had time to consider what all this disturbance meant, he heard Jonas’s voice, saying in a gentle tone,—
“Rollo.”
“What?” said Rollo, eagerly.
“Don’t be frightened. It’s only a fire.”