Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/38

24 Dave did not reply, but continued to roll the girl over and over, at the same time beating out the flames as best he could with his hands. Then the hired man put in an appearance with a bucket of water.

"Use this," he said, and Dave dashed some in the girl's face and on her breast and arms. But the flames were out and the danger was over.

"Is she—is she——" began Mrs. Wadsworth, but could say no more.

"I don't think she is hurt very much," answered Dave.

He helped Jessie to a sitting position and then to her feet. She stared around wildly and rushed into her mother's arms.

"Oh, mamma!" she moaned, and then fainted.

"Shall we carry her into the house, mum?" asked the hired man.

"Yes," was the reply, and between the man and Dave they took Jessie into a sitting room, where she was placed on a sofa. It was seen that her left arm was slightly burned, near the elbow, but otherwise she was unharmed. Oil was applied, and then flour, and the hired man was rushed away to get a doctor. In the meantime the fire had died out, leaving the automobile but slightly damaged.

Before the doctor arrived Jessie came out of her swoon. She said the arm smarted greatly, but the physician soon made this feel fairly comfortable.