It was a grand sight, for the fire was reflected in the clouds above, which were made all red with the glare, but it was also a most sad sight, for it seemed to threaten Dinah with ruin. However, the neighbours, who now began to arrive, were all very kind to her, and they carried water, and worked with such hearty good-will, that they were already getting the fire under, when the engine arrived, and then it was put out,--but not before half the rick at least, had been destroyed or injured. As soon as all danger was over, people began to make inquiries how the fire had been occasioned, and then you may be sure the boys came in for their full share of blame: everybody seemed to be open-mouthed, as the saying is, against them. “Ah! this comes of stealing sticks, and breaking hedges!” cried one. “I hope they’ll have some good tough sticks broken over their backs,” exclaimed another. “Aye, and they will too, if old Dilwyn does his duty by them, when they go to school to-morrow!” observed a third. “What business had they with fire-works? It’s a wonder and a mercy they were not blown up, and burnt to death.”--Thus said others. Poor old Dinah made what excuses she could for them, for she had a kind heart, and knew that what had happened was quite an accident, but her neighbours were quite angry with her for doing so: and when the boys heard how much they were blamed, they slunk away home one by one, glad that the night was so dark, and each hoping by some excuse or other, to get himself out of trouble the next day.--I am glad to say, however, that Kennedy, and Dunn, and Harry Martin, and Charley Salt, went to Dinah, and told her that they would gladly do all in their power to make up her loss. Dinah thanked them, but shook her head. “Such children as you can do nothing!” she added, and then began to cry again. Harry Martin thought that they _might_ do something; but he scarce knew what; and so, like the rest, he went home to bed with a heavy heart. So ended this famous bonfire, which had been so much thought of, and to which our boys had looked forward with such delight. All was now shame, and sorrow, and fear. But there would have been no cause for either fear, sorrow, or shame, if they would have only done what was right at first, and asked the Vicar how his money was to be spent, instead of spending it at all risks in the manner most pleasing to themselves. _We never can be safe, we are almost always doing wrong, when we are trying to please ourselves._ * * * * *