Then from the dusky cloud by the wall sounded a voice feebly protesting.
"Now, Laviny," began poor Kyan, "I never in my life--" "Do you hear me?
Come out of that!" There was a sound of scrambling.

More soot floated in the air.

Then around the corner of the high-boy appeared Mr.Pepper, crawling on his hands and knees.

His hair was streaked with black; his shirt front and collar and shirt sleeves were spotted and smeared with black; and from his blackened cheeks his red whiskers flamed like the last glowing embers in a fire-scarred ruin.
"Laviny," he panted, "I never was so surprised and upsot in all my life afore." This was too much for Grace.

She collapsed in a chair and laughed hysterically.