“I jes’ reckon yo’ has dat grain of mustard seed I’se tellin’ ’bout.”

“I reckon it’s a good thing to have, Gustus,” put in Harvey.  “But instead of letting the mustard seed do everything by itself, I believe we’d better rouse the servants.  Unless care is taken their quarters and the barn may burn.”

[Illustration:  The darkies’ quarters.]

This proved a happy suggestion; for while these buildings were far distant from the house, it was found the sparks had already set the barn afire.  However, the servants managed to put the fire out.

The glare from the fire illuminated the sky, and attracted the attention of the Davenports and the Gordons returning in a merry mood from the party.

“It looks like a house burning,” said Mrs. Davenport.  “Supposing it were ours,” she added forebodingly.

Mr. Davenport had experienced a like fear for some moments, but had refrained from letting any of the party know.  They had remarked that he was driving the spirited span to their full speed, but supposed he was hurrying because of the lateness of the hour.

“It is a fire,” cried Mrs. Gordon.  “Our daughters—­God keep them.”

Moments seemed hours to the anxious parents.  As dread became certainty, they felt as if the horses were almost standing still, whereas they were going as fast over the hard shell road as was possible.  Ambulance or fire horses could not have passed the ones Mr. Davenport drove, urged both by his voice and by the whip.

“Beth—­Julia,” cried two mothers the same second, as they rushed from the carriage and gathered two blanketed figures to their hearts.  Tears of relief and thankfulness flowed thick and fast.

“It’s terrible that our lovely home is gone,” cried Beth.

“In evil there is good.  You are safe, my darling,” her mother murmured.

The fathers felt no less keenly the escape of their beloved children, but expressed themselves less emotionally.  Marian could get hardly any one to notice her, but finally managed to say so as to be heard: 

“I don’t think they ought to be standing around with bare feet, and blankets wrapped around them.”

“You must all come home with us,” cried Mrs. Gordon.  “I will not accept a refusal.  We have a great abundance of room.”

Already the fire was beginning to die down, and Mr. Davenport saw that no good could be accomplished by remaining longer.

“January, I want you to watch to see that no damage is done by sparks,” he said.

“Sparks won’t have no sort of chance wid me aroun’, massa.”

Room was made in the carriage for the two children, and the horses were started in the direction of the Gordon homestead.  For a few moments, in the excitement of telling about the fire, Beth forgot all about Duke.  They were almost at the Gordons’ door when she thought of him.  She looked hastily back, half hoping he might be following, and to her joy saw him directly behind the carriage.  Beth pleaded to be allowed to take her beloved dog up to Julia’s room with them.  Julia added her entreaties, and the children were permitted to do as they wished in the matter.