October frosts seemed to have spared some of the brightest leaves for this especial occasion ; and on Saturday the arched gate-way was hung with gay wreaths , red and yellow sprays strewed the flags , and the porch was a blaze of color with the red woodbine , that was in its glory when the honeysuckle was leafless . Fortunately it was a half-holiday , so the children could trim and chatter to their heart 's content , and the little girls ran about sticking funny decorations where no one would ever think of looking for them . Ben was absorbed in his flags , which were sprinkled all down the avenue with a lavish display , suggesting several Fourth of Julys rolled into one . Mr. Brown had come to lend a hand , and did so most energetically , for the break-neck things he did with his son during the decoration fever would have terrified Mrs. Moss out of her wits , if she had not been in the house giving last touches to every room , while Randa and Katy set forth a sumptuous tea . All was going well , and the train would be due in an hour , when luckless Bab nearly turned the rejoicing into mourning , the feast into ashes . She heard her mother say to Randa , `` There ought to be a fire in every room , it looks so cheerful , and the air is chilly spite of the sunshine ; '' and , never waiting to hear the reply that some of the long-unused chimneys were not safe till cleaned , off went Bab with an apron full of old shingles , and made a roaring blaze in the front room fire-place , which was of all others the one to be let alone , as the flue was out of order . Charmed with the brilliant light and the crackle of the tindery fuel , Miss Bab refilled her apron , and fed the fire till the chimney began to rumble ominously , sparks to fly out at the top , and soot and swallows ' nests to come tumbling down upon the hearth . Then , scared at what she had done , the little mischief-maker hastily buried her fire , swept up the rubbish , and ran off , thinking no one would discover her prank if she never told . Everybody was very busy , and the big chimney blazed and rumbled unnoticed till the cloud of smoke caught Ben 's eye as he festooned his last effort in the flag line , part of an old sheet with the words `` Father has come ! '' in red cambric letters half a foot long sewed upon it . `` Hullo ! I do believe they 've got up a bonfire , without asking my leave . Miss Celia never would let us , because the sheds and roofs are so old and dry ; I must see about it . Catch me , Daddy , I 'm coming down ! '' cried Ben , dropping out of the elm with no more thought of where he might light than a squirrel swinging from bough to bough . His father caught him , and followed in haste as his nimble-footed son raced up the avenue , to stop in the gate-way , frightened at the prospect before him , for falling sparks had already kindled the roof here and there , and the chimney smoked and roared like a small volcano , while Katy 's wails and Randa 's cries for water came from within . `` Up there with wet blankets , while I get out the hose ! '' cried Mr. Brown , as he saw at a glance what the danger was . Ben vanished ; and , before his father got the garden hose rigged , he was on the roof with a dripping blanket over the worst spot . Mrs. Moss had her wits about her in a minute , and ran to put in the fireboard , and stop the draught .
Then , stationing Randa to watch that the falling cinders did no harm inside , she hurried off to help Mr. XXXXX , who might not know where things were .
Ben Brown Celia Daddy Father Hullo Moss fire fireboard minute