Other people were walking rapidly in the same direction, and there was an opening and shutting of windows and front doors.

A steamer thundered past, clanging and smoking, followed by a score of half-exhausted boys.

It took them longer to reach the fire than they expected, and by the time they had come within two blocks of it they were quite out of breath.

Here the excitement was lively; the sidewalks were full of people going in the same direction; on all sides there were guesses as to where the fire was.

On the front steps of many houses stood middle-aged gentlemen, still holding their evening papers and cigars, very amused and interested in watching the crowd go past.
One heard them from time to time calling to their little sons, who were dancing on the sidewalks, forbidding them to go; in the open windows above could be seen the other members of the family, their faces faintly tinged with the glow, looking and pointing, or calling across the street to their friends in the opposite houses.