The controversy might have lasted some time had not the hired man offered his services.
"I'll wait," he said. "You three run along and never mind the house. I'll take care of everything."
The girls hesitated no longer. Together they started off toward the Jameson house.
On the road they met Annie O'Brien. Annie, though still sheepish and penitent because of her neglect of the invalid, appeared secretly pleased about something.
When stopped and questioned by Nan, however, she would reveal nothing, merely saying that she must hurry on to the house and get supper.
"Rather late in the day to think about it," remarked Sadie. "Seems to me Annie O'Brien had better stick to her job."
"Probably Mother will think something like that," agreed Nan. "Annie likes the hired man," she added. "She makes all sorts of excuses to visit the Jamesons. We've always thought it was funny, but to-day it came near being serious. I suppose because Mother and I were out and Aunt Emma probably dozing in her chair, Annie thought this was a good chance to visit down the street!"
"I hate to think what would have happened if there had been fire as well as smoke," said Jo, with a shudder.
"My, but you were brave, Jo," said Sadie admiringly. "Just jumped through the window without a thought of what might happen to you on the other side."
"I was thinking of Miss Emma," Jo said simply.