"You were dressed up as Father Christmas.

It was I who put out the fire; my wrists were burnt in doing so." Then for a space we sat silent, looking at each other, while Stella slowly fanned herself with her wide felt hat, in which some white ostrich plumes were fixed.
"This is God's doing," she said at last.

"You saved my life when I was a child; now I have saved yours and the little girl's.

Is she your own daughter ?" she added, quickly.
"No," I answered; "I will tell you the tale presently." "Yes," she said, "you shall tell me as we go home.

It is time to be starting home, it will take us three hours to get there.