As Carter started from the greenhouse, where he had been working, the torrents of rain that beat in his face almost made him change his mind, but he felt a sense of uneasiness about Marjorie, and something prompted him to go on.  In a stout raincoat, and under a big umbrella, he made his way across the field through the storm toward “Breezy Inn.”

“My land!” he exclaimed, “if that ladder ain’t disappeared.  What will them youngsters be up to next?”

But even as he noticed the broken ladder, the door flew open, and Marjorie and Molly popped their heads out.

“Oh, Carter!” Marjorie screamed; “do get a ladder, and hurry up!  Ours is broken down, and Stella is struck by lightning, and, oh, Carter, do help us!”

Carter took in the situation at a glance.  He said nothing, for it was no time for words.  He saw the broken ladder could not be repaired in a minute; and, turning, he ran swiftly back to the barn for another ladder.  A long one was necessary, and with Moses to help him they hurried the ladder across the field and raised it.

Another fortunate effect of the firecracker explosion had been to rouse Stella.  Partly owing to the noise of the explosion, and partly because the effect of the shock was wearing away, Stella had opened her eyes and, realizing what had happened, promptly made up for lost time by beginning to cry violently.  Also, the reaction at finding Stella herself again, and the relief caused by the appearance of Carter, made Molly and Marjorie also break down, and when Carter came bounding up the ladder he found three girls, soaking wet as to raiment, and diligently adding to the general dampness by fast-flowing tears.

“What is it, now?” he inquired, and if his tone sounded impatient, it was scarcely to be wondered at.  For the battle-scarred veranda and the drenched condition of the room, together with a broken ladder, surely betokened mischief of some sort.

“Oh, Carter,” cried Marjorie, “never mind us, but can’t you take Stella to the house somehow?  She was struck by lightning, and she’s been dead for hours!  She only just waked up when she heard the firecrackers!  Did you hear them, Carter?”

“Did I hear them!  I did that—­not being deef.  Faith, I thought it was the last trump!  You’re a caution, Miss Midget!” But even as Carter spoke he began to realize that the situation was more serious than a mere childish scrape.  He had picked up little Stella, who was very limp and white, and who was still sobbing hysterically.

“Struck by lightning, is it?  There, there, little girl, never mind now, I’ll take care of ye.”

Holding Stella gently in his arms, Carter looked out of the window and considered.

“I could take her down the ladder, Miss Midget, but it’s raining so hard she’d be drenched before we could reach the house.  Not that she could be much wetter than she is.  Was she out in the rain?”

“No, that’s where we threw water on her to make her unfaint herself.  Can’t we all go home, Carter?  Truly we can’t get any wetter, and we’ll all catch cold if we don’t.”