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life would be gone if there was no fires." "If _I_ had the making of the laws," exclaimed Mary, flushing with indignation as she thought of her own recent risks and losses in consequence of fire-raising, "I'd have every man that set light to his house _hanged_!" "Ah; an' if 'e could also be draw'd and quartered," added Bob, "and 'ave the bits stuck on the weathercocks of Saint Paul's, or atop of Temple Bar, it would serve 'im right." "We must have you into Parliament some day, Molly," said Joe, with a smile. "Women are tryin' hard, I believe, to get the right to vote for members; w'y not go the whole hog and vote themselves in?" "They'd make splendid firemen too," said Clazie, "at least if they were only half as vigorous as your little May. By the way, Joe," continued Bob, "has Sparks been took yet?" "Not yet. It is rumoured that the crossin'-sweeper who chased him down so smartly, suddenly favoured his escape at last, from some unaccountable cause or other. I suppose that Sparks bribed him." "You're sure it was Sparks, are you?" inquired Bob. "Quite sure. It is true I only saw his confederate, but one of the men who had often seen Sparks in company with Crashington, his brother-in-law, knew him at once and saw him run off, with the boys after him. He's a bad lot, but I hope he'll escape for poor Mrs Crashington's sake." "And _I_ hope he won't escape, for poor Martha Reading's sake!" said Mary with much decision of tone. "That's his sweet-'eart--a friend of Molly's!" said Joe to Bob in explanation. At this point in the conversation, Master Fred Crashington, in his frantic efforts to reach an elevated part of the cupboard, fell backwards, drawing a shelf and all its contents on the top of himself and May. Neither of them was hurt, though both were much frightened. "I think _that_ must have put the fire out at last," said Joe, with a laugh, as he took the panting rosebud on his knee and smoothed her soft little head. "We'll sit quiet now and have a chat." A knock at the outer door here called Mrs Dashwood from the room. "Fire!" exclaimed May, holding up her finger and listening with eager expectation. "No, little woman," said Joe, "they would ring loud if it was fire." Meanwhile Mrs Dashwood opened the door and found herself confronted by a boy, with his hands in his pockets and his cap thrown in a reckless way half on the side and half on the back of his head. "Oh, I suppose y
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