"I want to thank him, too," said the fire chief. "I'd never have thought of getting to the roof that way. But it's a good thing he did, or that chimney might be burning yet."
Captain Ben made his way down the vine, the lightning rod, and the copper pipe as he had gone up. Several in the crowd gathered about him, and many told him he had done just the right thing. But Captain Ben paid little attention to these strangers. He made his way to where Mrs. Bunker stood with the six little Bunkers gathered about her.
"I didn't expect my visit would have so much excitement connected with it," he said, with a smile, as he put on his coat. "But I arrived just about the same time as did the engines. I saw what the trouble was, and decided that was the best way to help."
"I am glad you did," remarked Mrs. Bunker. "Though I have not seen you for several years, I knew you at once by your picture, which I recently saw in the paper. You evidently got safely back from the war."
"Yes, I got nothing worse than a few scratches. But, unless I am much mistaken, here comes Mr. Bunker."
"Oh, here's Daddy!" cried Rose, as a very much excited man rushed up the front walk, pushing his way in among the throng that had been attracted by the alarm of fire.
"Are you all right? Is anyone hurt? How did it happen? Is the fire out?" asked Daddy Bunker, and, really, he asked almost as many questions as Violet would have done had she had the chance.
"Yes, we are all safe!" answered Mrs. Bunker. "No one hurt and very little damage done. But I have a surprise for you! Look!" and she stepped from in front of the marine who had put out the blazing chimney.
"Captain Ben!" cried Daddy Bunker. "Where in the world did you come from?"
"Just back from the war," was the answer, as Captain Ben shook hands with Daddy Bunker. "I'm going to take a long rest, and I came to bring an invitation to you—to you and the six little Bunkers," he went on, looking from one of the children to the other.