"No," she said slowly. "I am worried. Of course they can't connect father with it, and yet--I am worried."
"And so you want to be on the field of battle?"
"Yes."
"Well, that's gallant, at any rate."
"But not wise?" she asked seriously.
"I withdraw that word. It is always wise to meet things with courage."
She walked on in silence a few moments.
"But they can't connect father with this, can they?" she asked earnestly.
"Of course not," he said,--and wished they need prepare to face no more serious attack than one on the doctor.
There was a small crowd about the smoking ruins of what had been a sprawling frame dwelling-house. A couple of firemen were still on the grounds, and uncounted boys were shouting with excitement and running about with superfluous activity. The nucleus of the crowd seemed to be an excited and crying woman, and Miss Underwood pressed toward this point. A large man, pompous even at this early morning hour, whose back was toward them as they approached, was talking.