 | XXI. Edwin Brothertoft |  |
21. XXI.
“I am Fire, a new-comer on the scene at Brothertoft
Manor-House.
“I was a spark from Jierck Dewitt's flint, a
flash of his powder, a feeble smoulder, a pretty,
graceful little flame, peering about for something
nutritious. I was weak. I get force as I go.
Let me once fairly touch fuel, and I will roar
you, roar you, — ay, and roast you too!
“What a grand pile of rubbish I see, now that
I can light up this dusky den of a cellar! Let
me burrow here! Let me scamper here! Aha,
I am warm and strong! A leap now! Hurrah!
I am so large and vigorous that I can multiply
myself. Go, little flames, rummage everywhere.
Blaze, my children, flash in the corners, find
what you like, eat and grow fierce. Grow fierce
and agile! I mean to exhibit you by and by.
You must presently run up stairs, make yourselves
broad and slender, dance, exult, and devour
everywhere.
“A drop of the famous Brothertoft Madeira,
now, for Fire and family! Here goes at the
go the shelves! Crash go the bottles! Drink,
flames, drink! What nectar! How this black
hole of a cellar shines! Fine wine makes me
hungry for finer fare! I could eat titbits now.
Perhaps I shall find them up stairs. A cradle
with a fat bambino, — that would be a sweet
morsel! A maiden's bed with a white-limbed
maiden on it, — that I could take finely. Come
flames, my children, up stairs, and let us see
what we can find! Up, my strongest, my hungriest,
my drunkest flames! up and follow!
“I am Fire! This house and all that be in it
are mine.”
| XXI. Edwin Brothertoft | |