"She was evidently in great distress.
"'Oh, Mr. Thornton,' she exclaimed, advancing towards me, 'do come to our house at once. I simply don't know what to do.'
"She spoke with great emotion, and seemed almost on the point of breaking into tears.
"'Pray, calm yourself, my dear young lady,' I said, 'and try to tell me what is the trouble.'
"'Oh, don't lose any time,' she said, 'do, do come at once.'
"'We will lose no time' I said reassuringly, as I looked at my watch. 'It is now seven-thirty. We will reckon the time from now, with overtime at time and a half. But if I am to do anything for you I must have some idea of what has happened.'
"'The cellar boiler,' she moaned, clasping her hands together, 'the cellar boiler won't work!'
"'Ah!' I said soothingly. 'The cellar boiler won't work. Now tell me, is the feed choked, miss?'
"'I don't know,' she exclaimed.
"'Have you tried letting off the exhaust?'