al, but
his back was up at the first word, and he would do nothing but sulk.
Moreover, George himself detected him doing away with some wood out of
that which was to make Farmer Goodenough's farm gates, under colour that
it was a remnant only fit for firewood. Having already announced that
he would never again employ his cousin after another of these
peculations, he kept to his word, and in spite of Molly's tears and
abuse, and Dan's deeper objurgations, he persisted. Daniel tried to get
work at Downhill, but all the time declared that them Gobblealls was at
the bottom of it, having a spite at him.

Just at this time Captain Carbonel was driving the phaeton, with his
wife in it, home from Elchester; when, just as they were passing Todd's
house, a terrible scream was heard. Shrieks that did not mean
naughtiness but agony; and a flame was visible within the door. In one
moment the captain was over the wicket, past the lurcher, dragging with
him his great old military cloak, which had been over Mary's knees.
Another second, and he had wrapped little Hoglah in it from top to toe,
stifling the flames by throwing her down and holding her tight, while
her mother came flying in from the garden; and Mary, throwing the reins
of the horse to the servant, hurried in.

Tirzah was screaming and sobbing. "My child! My dear! Oh, Hoggie!
Hoggie! Is she dead! Oh!"

"No, no; I think not," said the captain. And, indeed, no sooner did he
begin to unroll her than cries broke out, very sufficient answer as to
the child's being alive, and as her mother vehemently clasped her they
grew more agonising.

"Let me see how much she is burnt," said Mrs Carbonel. "You had better
not squeeze her. It makes it worse."

The child's poor little neck and bosom proved to have been sadly burnt.
Her mother had been heating the oven, and had gone out to fetch fresh
faggots, when the little one, trying in baby-fashion to imitate the
proceedings, had set her pinafore on fire. Many more children were thus
destroyed than now, when they do not wear so much cotton, nor such long
frocks and pinafores.

Poor little Hoglah screamed and moaned terribly, and the thought of her
being unbaptised came with a shock across Mrs Carbonel. However, she
did not think the injuries looked fatal, and speaking gently to soothe
the mother, as she saw the preparations for baking, she said, "I think
we can give her a little ease, my dear, my dear."

Tirzah was sobb