I had been hungry, however, the sight outside had spoiled my appetite.  As I lifted the cup of tea to my lips, a man unknown to me sat down to my table, uninvited.  I had to wonder if this were some odd cultural habit in this village.  Strange men approaching women to dine.  Slowly the cup was lowered and gently placed before me on the table.  Reminding myself to keep my wits about me, I let my gaze rise to the man's face.  I did not return the smile he offered.  The coin he held drew the attention of the innkeeper.  His fingers wrapped around the coin and he turned from the table.  "If you have a moment, I wish to thank you for arranging a shopmaid to assist me this morning."  T'was too delicate a topic to mention the bath specifically "Along with the other kindness that you arranged."  He nodded and smiled at me.  I had a feeling his lips were not often used to being turned upward.  I returned the smile.  "I do hate to be any more of a bother"  then nodded toward the window.  "If you could see to meeting with the stranger outside by the carriage, I would most appreciate it."  He opened his mouth as his smile faded.  He was about to say something then looked at the man at my table and seemed to change his mind.  He nodded, "As you wish" he said with a little bow.  He disappeared behind a door I guessed was to the kitchen then quickly returned and left the tavern's front door.<br/><br/>The innkeeper walked with quick determination and a scowl on his face.  When he reached the shirtless man he shoved his hand in his pocket and retrieved the coin and thrust it toward the man.  The coin would be a number of meals and clothes with change left over.  "You don't deserve this you gutter snipe.  But the lady has a sympathetic heart."  He dropped the coin in your hand.  "I know what you tried to do and I'll be watching you.  I suggest you take that coin and leave this village."  His eyes moved down the village road with a stern jerk of his head to punctuate his suggestion that the stranger leave.  It was then the innkeeper's attention was drawn to billowing smoke filling the sky.  With all thought of the stranger swept from his mind he turned and ran toward the tavern as if the fire were on his heels.<br/><br/>My gaze moved back and forth from the man at my table to the scene outside.  I opened my mouth to speak about the definition of polite behavior when I saw the innkeeper running toward the tavern with a frightened look on his face.  I closed my lips quickly and felt my heart suddenly begin to race.  The door was flung open and the innkeeper shouted "Fire!"  I never saw so many people move so quickly in my life.  The calm of the tavern was replaced with chaos.  I jumped up so suddenly I nearly knocked my chair over.  That was when Annabelle rushed in.  "Ma'am, thank goodness you are safe!"  She glanced quickly at the man at the table with an odd expression.  "The fire is at the blacksmith!"  I did not know what direction that was in but I began to see people running to the east.  Grabbing my bags and  shoving them in Annabelle's hands.  "Please take these to the dress shop.  I must see what aid is needed."  I turned in my excitement to the man, my words coming quickly and not in my usual soft town, "Well you look able bodied, what are you doing just sitting there?  We must see what can be done to put the fire out."  The fear of fire existed in every man and woman's mind.  It spread and killed so quickly.  I did not wait for the man to respond before running to the door and joining many other people running toward the blaze.<br/><br/>Seeing others from the village had formed a line and handed buckets of water from a well to the building, now enveloped in orange flames, I joined in.  Empty buckets flew past me, hand over hand only to be replaced by buckets full of water.  It did seem as though the fire would be contained to this one building as it was set apart from other structures.  Often shop owners lodging was within their businesses location, I did worry if a family had been caught unaware of the flames until it was too late.  It was this disturbing thought along with the thick smoke in the air that brought tears to my eyes.