CHAPTER IX.
RALPH'S CONFIDENCE.
"Sad case it is, as you may think For very cold to go to bed; And then for cold not sleep a wink." WORDSWORTH'S _Goody Blaks_ "Grandmother," said Ralph, when they were all sitting at breakfast the next morning, "didn't you say that your grandmother once had an adventure that we might like to hear?
It was at the beginning of the story you told us--I think it was something about the corkscrew staircase.

I liked the story awfully, you know, but I'm fearfully fond of adventures." Grandmother smiled.
"I remember saying something about it," she said, "but it is hardly worth calling an adventure, my boy.

It showed her courage and presence of mind, however.

She was a very brave little woman." "Presence of mind," repeated Ralph.

"Ah yes! that's a good thing to have.
There's a fellow at our school who saved a child from being burnt to death not long ago.