But, even as she spoke, there was a burst of flame through the cloud of smoke. Several girls screamed and those nearest the fire hung back.
"Steady! Go on! There is no danger!" the forewoman called.
"Are you getting this, Russ?" asked Mr. Pertell of the young camera expert.
"Every move!" was the enthusiastic answer. "It's too good a chance to miss, and I guess there is really no danger."
He continued to grind away at the camera while the girls, now in orderly array, marched to the fire escapes and so down and out of the building. Ruth, Alice and the two other actresses went with them. And not until the last girl had left the room did the forewoman make a move toward the escape.
"You gentlemen will please leave now," she said.
"After you," returned Mr. Pertell, with a look of admiration in his eyes.
"No," she said, firmly. "The rules of the fire drill require that I leave the room last. You will please go first."
"But, my dear young lady!" exclaimed the manager, "this is not a drill—it is a real fire!"
"I know it," she said, quietly. "But that makes no difference. I must leave last. You will kindly go ahead."