"It must have broken out in the lower part of the house," said Old Wheels; "but it does not matter to us now. Thank God we're all saved, eh, Pollypod?" Pollypod nodded her head a dozen times, and looked solemnly at Felix. "_You_ saved _me_," she said. "Father saved you, Polly," replied Felix. "Didn't he make a rope and creep out of the window down it with Polly in his arms?" "But you caught me!" "Yes, I caught you, little one. It's like the story of Cock Robin, with a happier ending. Some one saw the fire--some one cried out--some one climbed up--some one crept down--some one caught Polly." Which made Polly laugh. But her father looked grave, His strait was a hard one indeed. Every stick of furniture burnt, every scrap of spare clothing burnt, no money in his purse, and not insured for a shilling. Here was a fine example for theorists whose favourite theme is the improvidence of the poor! The Gribbles were better off than the others, and had taken shelter elsewhere. Gribble junior had saved his little store of money, and had thrown his clothes and those of his wife out of the window, not having had time to put them on. Gribble senior drivelled a great deal; and weakly declared his belief that co-operation was the cause of this, his crowning misfortune. Jim Podmore did not say anything of his dream. His wife made a remark. "It's an ill-wind that blows nobody good, Jim. If you hadn't fell asleep in the chair, you wouldn't have saved your clothes, perhaps." "A nice figure I should ha' looked going to work without 'em," he replied, with grim humour. If there was any comfort in the fact that they were all in the same boat as regards the complete destruction of their worldly goods, that comfort was theirs. The only one who seemed to make light of the misfortune was Felix; he extracted some secret satisfaction from it. He had a plan in his head. He certainly lost no time in putting it into execution. In the afternoon of the following day he burst in upon them. He was flushed and triumphant. "Now, then," he said, with heartless gaiety, "if you had anything to pack up, I should tell you to pack up at once and get ready. As it is, you can come along with we at once. I intend to take you all into custody." They looked at him for his meaning. "Polly," he said, "will you come and live in my house?" "O, yes, yes!" "I've settled it all with your husband, Mrs. Podmore, and he comes straight from his work to my house to-night; so you are powerless, you see, and dare not make an objection." Old Wheels drew Felix aside. "Explain this to me, Felix." "Well, I knew of a house--a small one--ready furnished, which I could obtain on reasonable terms for a short time. I have taken it as a speculation, and I am going to instal you at once in your new home." "How as a speculation, Felix?"