But it
had to be borne in inaction, for to move about in this furious pitching
and swaying was utterly impossible to the unpractised.
Only low moans and sobs broke the silence which succeeded to this
tempestuous outburst, till suddenly a shrieking figure came tumbling
into the room and, with hair unbound and garments disarranged, fairly
rolled into their midst.
"Oh, save me! Save me!" she shrieked wildly. "We're all going to the
bottom! We're all burning up! Save me!"
It was Mrs. Campbell, the dignified, the indifferent. She had retired
with a headache, only to be awakened by this crashing, and the cry of
fire, and she seemed utterly beside herself with terror. A beautiful
woman by day, when carefully gowned and controlled, she was a veritable
hag just now! It seemed as if terror and dismay let loose her
unbeautiful soul to dominate her well-kept body. She looked older, by
a score of years, and was as unlike her usual elegant self as possible.
Faith shrank a little.
"Oh!" she murmured, "Speak to her, Mr. Carnegie--help her--make her
keep still. If we must die, let us go decently, at least."
Almost involuntarily he grasped her hand in appreciation.
"Yes," he returned, "but I could do no good with her. She does not
like me. I do not believe we will be lost. I trust in your father,
and in the Father of us all. Besides, the worst is over. It is still
to what it was a moment since."
"But the fire?" she whispered, with a shiver.
Pages:
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176