"No fire!" Even from across the landing I was conscious that that child's eyes were opened wider. "Why, it's freezing. Haven't you any coals or wood?"
"Oh, yes, I've plenty of coals and wood, but what's the good of them if they won't burn?"
"Won't burn? Why ever won't they burn?"
"I don't know why they won't burn--you'd better ask 'em."
I am altogether without a clear impression of how it happened. I can only say that that child came across the landing, and, as I returned into my own quarters, she came after me--quite uninvited. We moved to the dining-room, the scene of my futile efforts. She regarded the recalcitrant grate with thoughtful gaze. It began to be borne in on me that she was rather a nice-looking child, with brown hair, and a great deal of it, and big brown eyes. Presently she said,--
"I have seen people make a fire."
Which was an absurd remark. I snubbed her.
"I don't know that there's anything remarkable in that. I also have seen people make a fire."
"One would never think it to look at that grate."
"What's the matter with the grate?"