Page:Cornelia Meigs-The Pirate of Jasper Peak.djvu/212

 boys at first, but, after getting a few sparks in his furry coat, had decided to retreat and was sitting solemnly beside her, mounting guard. The cow’s stable, set at a little distance, was untouched  by the flames, so Hulda was driven in, her manner showing plainly that she was glad to get home  again after the disturbing events of the last few  hours. The boys lit a lantern and tended her together, as though she might escape again were  one of them to minister to her alone. They made no comment on the fire, both seeming to avoid the  subject as long as possible.

“It’s cold,” commented Dick, once, shivering in his dripping garments, to which Hugh replied:

“Yes, and getting colder every minute.”

That was all of their conversation.

They finished at last and, coming out of the shed, closed the door very carefully behind them. Not until they were halfway up the path to the cottage did either of them speak. Yet the extent of their tragedy must be faced.

“There’s quite a hole in the roof,” observed