They were interrupted by the clanging of bells, on Sherman avenue.
Judith went to the window, to report that a cloud of smoke was visible
against the western sky. A moment later, Dutton called from the lawn
that the Marksley house was burning. Theodora wanted to see the fun. He
would drive her out, if her father and brother were willing. They were
not willing!
Dutton’s disappointment was greater than Theo’s, albeit she would
have revelled in the sight of that one particular fire. Dutton could
not make out why people kept a car, if they were too stingy to use
it. Nothing ever happened in Springdale, and when there was a little
excitement, a fellow wasn’t allowed to enjoy it.
But the spectacle would hardly have been worth the exertion of cranking
the car. The Monday paper gave a graphic account of the blaze that
started in the store room on the top floor, and was extinguished before
it had accomplished more than partial destruction of the roof. The
damage was amply covered by insurance. It was understood that Mr. David
Trench would investigate the loss, and make necessary repairs, at the
insistence of the insurance company.