Grainger, the overseer, who with his men had been unremitting in his
endeavors to arrest the progress of the flames, now came up, and taking
off his hat to Mrs. Middleton, said: "Madam, I think, please the Lord, we shall bring the fire under
presently and save all of the building except that wing, which must go.
But, if you please, ma'am, I don't see as you can do any good standing
here looking on. So, now that the young gentlemen are safe, hadn't you
all better take shelter in my house? It is poor and plain; but it is
roomy and weather-tight, and altogether you and the young gentlemen and
ladies would be better off there than here."
"I thank you, Grainger. I thank you for your offer as well as for your
efforts here to-night, and I will gladly accept the shelter of your roof
for myself and young friends. Show us the way. Come, my children. Come,
you also, Ishmael."
"Thank you very much, ma'am; but, if I can't be of any more use here, I
must go home. Aunt Hannah will be looking for me." And with a low bow
the boy left the scene.