Edwin Brothertoft/Part III Chapter XXI

Chapter XXI.
“I am, a new-comer on the scene at Brothertoft Manor-House.

“I was a spark from Jierck Dewitt’s flint, a flash of his powder, a feeble smoulder, a pretty, graceful little flame, peering about for something nutritious. I was weak. I get force as I go. Let me once fairly touch fuel, and I will roar you, roar you, — ay, and roast you too!

“What a grand pile of rubbish I see, now that I can light up this dusky den of a cellar! Let me burrow here! Let me scamper here! Aha, I am warm and strong! A leap now! Hurrah! I am so large and vigorous that I can multiply myself. Go, little flames, rummage everywhere. Blaze, my children, flash in the corners, find what you like, eat and grow fierce. Grow fierce and agile! I mean to exhibit you by and by. You must presently run up stairs, make yourselves broad and slender, dance, exult, and devour everywhere.

“A drop of the famous Brothertoft Madeira, now, for Fire and family! Here goes at the wine-room. I cannot stop to draw corks. Down go the shelves! Crash go the bottles! Drink, flames, drink! What nectar! How this black hole of a cellar shines! Fine wine makes me hungry for finer fare! I could eat titbits now. Perhaps I shall find them up stairs. A cradle with a fat bambino, — that would be a sweet morsel! A maiden’s bed with a white-limbed maiden on it, — that I could take finely. Come flames, my children, up stairs, and let us see what we can find! Up, my strongest, my hungriest, my drunkest flames! up and follow!

“I am ! This house and all that be in it are mine!”