"But don't you see? Some one must go in and get that man!" Jo cried desperately. "He may be lying somewhere unconscious this minute. If some one doesn't get him out, he'll die!"
She tried again to get by the man who blocked the doorway.
"Gently, gently!" cried the latter, holding her back. "I'll get him for you, Miss."
The man drew a red-spotted bandana handkerchief from his pocket and began to tie it over his nose and mouth. As he did so a smoke-stained, wild-eyed figure burst through the cloud of smoke and stood swaying in the doorway. At the same moment the clanging of a bell down the road warned all of the approach of the fire engine.
The Jamesons' hired man ripped the handkerchief from over his nose, still holding to the door to steady himself.
"Is it very bad?" cried Nan. "Is the whole house going to burn up?"
The man shook his head.
"'Tain't no fire," he said dully. "Just as I thought. All smoke. Chimney stopped up, back draft, or something."
"Glory be!" cried Sadie. "Make believe that isn't welcome news!"
Nan collapsed, shaking, against the side of the house while Jo slipped an arm through hers to steady her. Nan began to laugh hysterically.