She's a good child, is Polly, and can write on a slate beautiful." Jeffreys thanked her, and promised to come to an arrangement with Polly, and went on with his work.
In due time the claims of hunger created a diversion, and he and his infants--one on each knee--partook of a comfortable repast of bread and milk.
He had hard work to induce the baby, after it was over, to resume his slumbers.

That young gentleman evidently had a vivid recollection of some one having walked about with him and sung him to sleep in the middle of the day, and he resented now being unceremoniously laid on his back and expected to slumber without persuasion.
Jeffreys had to take him up finally and pace the room for an hour, and about ten o'clock sat down to his interrupted work.

Till midnight he laboured on; then, cold and wearied, he put out his little candle and lay himself beside the children on the bed.
He had scarcely done so when he became aware of a glare at the window, which brought him to his feet in an instant.

It was a fire somewhere.
His first panic that it might be in the house was quickly relieved.

It was not even in Storr Alley, but in one of the courts adjoining.