Page:The Children of the New Forest - 1847 - Marryat.djvu/106

 "No. The fire is all out again."

"Who saved me? tell me."

"Young Armitage, Miss."

"Who is he? oh, I recollect now; but I must go to my father. Where is he?"

"In the other cottage, Miss."

Patience attempted to stand, but found that she was too much exhausted, and she fell back again on the bed. "I can't stand," said she. "Bring my father to me."

"I will, Miss," replied Oswald.

"Will you stay here, Edward?"

"Yes," replied Edward. He went out of the cottage door, and remained there while Oswald went to Mr. Heatherstone.

Oswald found him sensible, but in deep distress, as may be imagined. "The fire is all out, Sir," said Oswald.

"I care not for that. My poor, poor child!"

"Your child is safe, Sir," replied Oswald.

"Safe, did you say?" cried Mr. Heatherstone, starting up. "Safe! where?"

"In my cottage. She has sent me for you."

Mr. Heatherstone rushed out, passed by Edward, who was standing at the door of the other cottage, and was in his daughter's arms. Oswald came out to Edward, who then detailed to him the way in which he had saved the girl.

"Had it not been for the ill-nature of that girl Phœbe, in sending me to sleep where there was no straw, they would all have been burnt," observed Edward.

"She gave you an opportunity of rewarding good for evil," obsersed [sic] Oswald.

"Yes, but I am burnt very much in my arm," said Edward. "Have you any thing that will be good for it?"

"Yes, I think I have: wait a moment."

Oswald went into the cottage and returned with some salve,