“Why! because I could not think of standing in the way of her good fortune.”
“Oh, Frank! oh, Blazes,” said Willie sadly, “has money told on you so fearfully already? Do you think that she would give you up for the sake of Auberly’s dross?”
“I believe not, lad; but—but—well—never mind, we won’t be troubled with the question now. But, mother, you don’t seem to think much of my good fortune.”
“I do think much of it, Frank; it has been sent to you by the Lord, and therefore is to be received with thanksgiving. But sudden good fortune of this kind is very dangerous. It makes me anxious as well as glad.”
At that moment there came a loud knocking at the door, which startled Mrs Willders, and caused Willie to leap up and rush to open it.
Frank rose and put on his cap with the quiet promptitude of a man accustomed to alarms.
“That’s a fire, mother; the kind of knock is quite familiar to me now. Don’t be alarmed; we hear that kind of thing about two or three times a day at the station; they knew I was here, and have sent a messenger.”
“A fire!” cried Willie, running into the room in great excitement.
“Tut, lad,” said Frank, with a smile, as he nodded to his mother and left the room, “you’d never do for a fireman, you’re too excitable. Where’s the messenger?—ah, here you are. Well, where is it?”
“Tooley Street,” exclaimed a man, whose condition showed that he had run all the way.