Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/310

276 They said that he must have breathed the smoke, for there was no mark of the fire upon  him. His lips were set firmly together, as with the nerving himself for some mighty, heroic task; and the coat he had worn to protect himself was closely folded about Fred’s head. Lovingly and reverently they raised him, and bore him into the house, where they laid him on Bert’s bed, wrapped in the dreamless sleep that could have but one awakening.

Frank Muir had lifted Fred in his strong arms, and turned to Bess inquiringly.

“Home, please; that is, if you can carry him there. It is so near, and Mrs. Walsh has so much now. Oh, Frank, am I to blame?” And she shuddered at the thought.

“To blame; no I Of course not. But I can carry him easily, and we shall need you, so you mustn’t fail us.” And he looked at her anxiously, for she seemed about to faint.

It was some time before Fred was fully restored to consciousness, and then, while Bess and her mother dressed his slightly burned face and hands, Frank Muir sat by his side, trying to cheer and calm him. It was a long after-