“And that other young fellow?  Why, they——­”

“Never felt better in their lives,” came Jimsy’s cheerful voice from the door, which framed, beside himself, Jess, and the young naval officer.

“The first time I was ever knocked out by lightning,” declared the latter, “and really it’s quite invigorating.”

Jess glided across the room to Peggy’s side and threw her arms about her neck.

“Oh, Peggy, how brave and good you are!” she exclaimed.  “I was dreadfully frightened, when you came plunging down through that smoke.  I was just trying to make my way through it with a bucket, when you came toppling down the stairs.  I managed to catch you and support you into the kitchen.”

“I think some one else is the bravest,” smiled Peggy, patting her chum’s shoulder.  “I’m so glad that the baby wasn’t hurt.  Poor little thing, it looked so cute in its crib.  I remember seizing it up and then the smoke came, and after a few minutes it all got black and——­”

“And all’s well that ends well,” declared Jimsy, capering about.  “We’ve telephoned to your home to Roy, Peggy, and he’ll be over in a short time with an auto.”

“But what about the Butterfly?” asked Peggy.

“My dear girl,” announced Jimsy, in his most pompous tones, “it would be impossible for you to guide her home this evening.  Your nerves would not stand it.  See, it’s come out quite fine, now, after the storm, and Roy will spin you home in the machine in no time.”

“Perhaps that would be best,” agreed Peggy.  “And I can come out, or Roy can, to-morrow, and get the aeroplane—­that is,” she added, turning to the farm woman, “if it won’t be in your way.”

“If you had a thousand of them air-buggies around here, miss, they wouldn’t be in our way,” came in a hearty, gruff tone from the door.  They looked up to see a big farmer-like looking person, with a fringe of black whiskers running under his chin in a half-moon, standing there.

“This is my husband, Isaac Galloway,” said the woman, introducing the owner of the farm.

“At your service, gents and ladies,” said the farmer.  “What that young woman did fer us ter-day ther’ ain’t no way of repaying; but anything Ike Galloway kin do any time ye kin count on him fer.”

He moved toward an object they had not previously noticed, an iron door in the wall.  Turning a knob this way and that, he presently flung it open, revealing the inside of a wall safe.  Thrusting his hand inside, he drew out a bundle of bills.  Then, closing the door again, and adjusting the combination, he said: 

“Jes’ goin’ ter give ther boys a bit of thank you fer helpin’ me put out ther fire.  If any of you folks would like——­”

“Oh, no.  No, thank you,” laughed Peggy, sitting up and feeling, except for a slight dizziness, almost herself again.

“Very well; no harm meant,” said the farmer, as he shuffled out of the room and into the kitchen, where he distributed his largess.