'Father will be home soon,' said Billikins, joyfully.
'Yes, dear, thank Heaven, very soon now,' said Mother, and kissed him fervently.
As the time passed Mother grew more and more cheerful. The ship that was bringing Father home would soon be due.
'Billikins, do you think you can stay here alone, dear, while I go out and do a bit of shopping?' Mother asked one evening, and Billikins answered, 'Yes, Mother; I will be good while you are gone.'
Mother put on her bonnet and cape, took a basket, and sallied forth. Left alone, Billikins sat at the window, and gazed out at the busy street. There was a great deal of noise going on overhead. The Jones children, who lived in the 'flat' above, were always rather noisy. Billikins had seen Mrs. Jones go out with a basket some time ago, so he knew that they were all alone. Suddenly there was a great crash, a sound of breaking glass, and then wild screams of distress, which seemed to come from upstairs.
Two Jones children were flying wildly downstairs, while a third followed more slowly, crying and sobbing.
'What is the matter?' asked Billikins.
'Oh, oh, we have upset the lamp!' sobbed little Lizzie Jones. 'The rooms is on fire, it's all ablaze! What shall I do? What shall I do? I am so frightened!'
'Where's the baby?' gasped Billikins. He knew there was a Jones baby—a new and tiny one.