He had lost one of his children in the fire, and the details had been heartrending.

The entire Vanderpoel household had wept on hearing them, and Mr.Vanderpoel had drawn a cheque which had seemed like a fortune to the sufferer.

A new house had been bought, and Mrs.Vanderpoel and her daughters and friends had bestowed furniture and clothing enough to make the family comfortable to the verge of luxury.
"See, you poor thing," said Rosalie, glowing with memories of this incident, her homesick young soul comforted by the mere likeness in the two calamities.

"I brought my cheque book with me because I meant to help you.

A man worked for my father had his house burned, just as yours was, and my father made everything all right for him again.