We all laughed, and, much to my relief, general attention was turned to the little ones.
“You young scamps!—the ‘lark’ will cost me some thousands of pounds,” said the doctor.
“Never mind, papa. Just go to the bank and they’ll give you as much as you want.”
“More pooding!” demanded Master Job. The pleasant-faced domestic hesitated.
“Oh! give it him. Act the banker on this occasion, and give him as much as he wants,” said the doctor.
“Good papa!” exclaimed the overjoyed Jenny; “how I wis’ we had a house on fire every night!”
Even Dolly crowed with delight at this, as if she really appreciated the idea, and continued her own supper with increased fervour.
Thus did that remarkable family spend the small hours of that morning, while their home was being burned to ashes.