The family living in the beautiful house opposite the fire, took Polly in charge, and kept away the mob of curious people who wished to see and talk with the heroine.
Polly was all right, and wondered why she should be kept indoors when others on the outside might need assistance. Suddenly she remembered her discarded skirt!
Oh, mercy me! Did I climb up that pipe looking like this? she cried, blushing furiously and burying her face in the cushions of the divan.
My dear child! It was a wonderful sight! No one gave the slightest thought to your bloomers. But now you shall have one of Ruths skirts, returned the lady of the house, fervently.
CHAPTER VII MRS. WELLINGTONS THANKSGIVING
Where where is she? Ill send James for them. But I want you to keep quiet, or youll be prostrated, dear child.
Polly smiled she prostrated! But she explained: Anne is sitting on the grass on the side street around the corner, taking care of the girl who fainted in the back-room of the theatre.
James was summoned from the front window where he had been watching the fight against the fire, and now took his orders eagerly. Polly pointed out the corner where she had left her friends and, in another moment, the butler was gone.
I spose I ought to go and hunt up my friends who escaped over the roofs, ventured Polly.
Youll rest here upon this divan, or your parents will sue me! retorted Mrs. Ashby, trying to compel, with gentle hands, obedience to her command.
Polly laughed softly. My parents would sue you if you prevented me from doing my duty to others. Why, you-all make such a fuss over that pipe-climbing, and it is next to nothing for a Rocky Mountain girl. A day in a blizzard on the cliffs is ten times more hazardous.
Mrs. Ashby was consumed with curiosity to ask this handsome girl who she was, and all about herself, but she controlled herself admirably, for she knew her guest ought to keep quiet.
The door-bell rang
and its echo pealed through the house, but the servants were out watching the exciting events of the fire, and James had been sent for the other girls. So Mrs. Ashby opened the door.
I just heard that Polly Brewster was here oh! is she all right! cried the excited voice of Mrs. Wellington.
Right as a trivet, dear Mrs. Wellington! called Polly springing from the couch to greet the lady.
Oh oh! Thank God! Ive worried and cried over you three precious girls until my eyes are blinded! They told me that everyone was out of the place but you three!
Did everyone manage to escape safely? asked Polly, anxiously.
Everyone got out, but oh! such a panic! Some are torn, and battered black and blue, from the stampede down through those front stairs and hall. I dont believe a single soul got out with a whole gown! They tell me it was all the fault of that Pool Club on the second floor; they gave a smoker to-night, and when the fire was discovered on their floor, they caused the dreadful block in the front halls.
Gowns are of no account if everyone escaped with life, said Mrs. Ashby.
But it is most unfortunate for me, just now. The story getting into the newspapers, will ruin my reputation as a school principal. Folks will ask, Why did she ever choose such a place for an entertainment; but they will never know that I tried everywhere else, first, and found everything engaged for this week. I begged the girl who started the idea to postpone the play until the week after Thanksgiving holiday, but she stubbornly refused. So I took what I could get. I dare not tell the reporters that it was merely to please Elizabeth Dalken, and because Elizabeths father pays strictly in advance and has his daughter take all extras.
You have no idea what it means to me. I am paying off the mortgages on that house where the school is located, so that I might be able to take a deep breath before I am too old to work. But this unhappy accident will ruin my reputation as a careful superintendent.
Elizabeth Dalken! I know her father very well, and we think he is one of the finest of men. We seldom meet Mrs. Dalken or the daughter, as we do not belong to the same set. Since Mr. Dalken separated from his wife, we have not seen her at all, but he was here and dined with us, this very evening, said Mrs. Ashby.
If I could only explain to him just how this happened, he might not blame me for his daughters injury.
Was she hurt? exclaimed Mrs. Ashby. Then James came in, followed by three girls, and the adults who had escaped over the roofs.
Here we are, Polly safe and sound, Mr. Maynards cheery voice greeted the girl who jumped up at sight of them.
Excited cries, and hugs, and happy laughs now followed as each one found the others without a hurt, Elizabeth Dalken being the only one who had received an injury, and that was merely a flesh-wound cut by the edge of the door as her head struck it.
Mrs. Ashby took charge of Elizabeth, and washed her face; then placed a strip of court plaster over the cut to keep it clean.
The fire was out and the crowd had dispersed before the firemen finished their work in and about the house. The Chief came to Mrs. Ashbys door and asked for the young lady who was such a marvellous climber. So he was invited in to see for himself.