In her excitement she slipped, tried to save herself, lost her footing, and fell sideways over the curb on to the hearth.

Her thin, flimsy dress was within half an inch of the fire, but at that instant Rona, who was standing by, clutched her and pulled her forwards.

It all happened in three seconds.

She was safe before her father had time to run across the room.

The family stared aghast.
"Whew! That was a near shave!" gasped Oswald.
Dorothy, too much surprised and frightened to cry, was clinging to her mother.