the midst of the
clouds of smoke. We all held our breath for what seemed an age, but was
only a few minutes, I suppose, and then came another cheer, and we knew
she was safe. The servants rushed forward at that, but when they looked
down and saw the flames licking the very side of the ladder, they
shrieked again and fell back; so Madge went next, and then father walked
up to mother and took her by the hand. She looked up at him and shook
her head.

"Not yet, dear, not yet. The girls first!" she said, but he wouldn't
listen to that.

"The girls wouldn't go before you. You can't stand this any longer. I
am going to carry you down and come back for them. Come, sweetheart!"

She rose then without a word, and we saw him lift her in one arm like a
baby and let himself down slowly, slowly with the other hand.

Oh, the awfulness of that moment when they both disappeared and we were
left alone! With father gone it seemed as if there were no one left to
keep order or inspire us with any show of courage. I think we all went
mad or something like it, and, before we knew what was happening, one of
the servants had opened the door and flown shrieking along the passage.
Another great gust of smoke rushed into the room; we could hardly see
each other; we were all rushing about, jostling together, fighting like
wild things for air and freedom.

"Vere, Vere!" I shouted, and she clutched at my arm, and we ran
together down the corridor, to the head of the servants' stairs, back
again faster than ever into the blue room where the men had let
themselves down to the roof of the larder. There seemed just a chance
that we might be able to do the same. It was the only chance I could
think of, and Vere was clinging to me, begging me to save her, and not
let her be burnt.

"I can't die, Babs--I can't! I've never thought of it. I'm frightened!
Oh, Babs, Babs, think of something--think of a way--Save me! Save me!"

"I'll try, Vere, but you must help, you must be quiet! The heat is not
so bad here, and if we get on the roof and call, someone may hear us.
They will come to look if they find we have gone. Oh, we should never
have left that room! Father trusted us to wait for him, but it is too
late now... Look, here's a sheet: we must tear it into strips and make
a rope. It will be easier that way."

But when they tell you in books to make ropes of sheets, they forget
that it's almost impossible to tear strong new sheets,