"But that isn't a real tale," objected Mary.
"Never mind, we like to hear it," said Molly. "What are you doing, Polly?"
"I am building the fire; there must be a whole lot of light stuff to set it going."
"That looks like a good deal," said Molly doubtfully regarding the pile of bark, shaving and light wood that Polly was stowing in the fireplace.
"It will kindle all the quicker," returned Polly in a satisfied voice, touching the kindling with a lighted match. In an instant not only was the light stuff all ablaze, but the flames, leaping out, caught the white apron which Polly had put on, half in sport, when they were getting their supper. It was one of her Aunt Ada's and reached to Polly's ankles, so that she seemed enveloped in flames. She shrieked, but stood still. Quick as a flash Mary caught up the pitcher of water standing on the table and dashed it over her cousin, then she grabbed her and threw her on the floor, snatching up the rug from the floor before doing so, thus protecting herself, and at the same time providing a means of putting out the fire which she did by rolling Polly in the rug.
Molly was perfectly helpless with fright and all she could do was to wring her hands and cry, "Oh, what shall we do? What shall we do? Oh, Polly, Polly!"
Just as the fire was all crushed out, the door opened and in walked their Uncle Dick. Molly rushed to him. Throwing herself in his arms, she cried: "Oh, Polly is burning up! Save her! Save her!"
"What is all this?" said Dick springing forward.
Mary arose from where she was kneeling over Polly. "I think it is all out now," she said.
Polly unwound herself from her mummy-like case. "Are you badly hurt?" her uncle asked anxiously.
"No," she said with a sobbing breath; "only my legs hurt me."
"How did it all happen?" said her uncle, picking her up and setting her in a chair.
"We were kindling the fire," explained Mary, "and Polly's apron caught."
"And Mary saved her life," sobbed Molly completely unnerved. "She threw water on her, and rolled her in the rug."
"That is what my governess said we should do in such cases," said Mary quietly, though her face was twitching. "I never loved Miss Sharp before," she added with a little laugh.
"You certainly did save Polly's life," said her uncle as he examined Polly's clothing. "Fortunately she has on a woolen frock and has been only slightly scorched about the legs. The fire evidently did not reach her bare flesh. You didn't breathe the flames, did you, Polly, for I see the fire did not go above your waist."