Page:Betty Gordon in the Land of Oil.djvu/127



"!" Betty's over-tired nerves seemed to jangle like tangled wires. "Bob, is anything the matter?"

"Well, of course, nothing is really the matter," replied Bob, his assumed calmness belied by his excited face. "Nothing that need worry you, Betty. But—there's another oil fire!"

"Another well on fire?" repeated Betty. "Oh, Bob, is it anywhere near Uncle Dick?"

"You come in and sit down. Ki will look after Clover," said Bob authoritatively. "Supper is almost ready, and I'll tell you all I know. Mrs. Watterby has gone to bed with a sick headache, but Grandma is taking her place."

"Is it a very bad fire?" urged Betty. "Where is it? When did it start? Have you seen it?"

"I guess it is pretty bad," said Bob soberly. "It's the north section, Betty. Just what Thorne has been afraid of."

"The north section!" Betty looked startled. "But, Bob, we were there this morning. Everything was all right." Rh