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Puss in Boots, Jr., and the Good Gray Horse

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<hr style="width: 65%;" />[90] <h2>THE FIRE</h2> <div class='poem'><div class='cap'> MY Lady Wind, my Lady Wind, Went round about the house to find A chink to get her foot in; She tried the keyhole in the door, She tried the crevice in the floor, And drove the chimney soot in. And then one night when it was dark She blew up such a tiny spark That all the house was pothered; From it she raised up such a flame As flamed away to Belting Lane, And White Cross folks were smothered. </div> </div> Puss, Junior, awoke with a start to find his room filled with smoke. And, oh, dear me! when he opened his door red flames were already crawling up the woodwork. Running up the stairs two at a time, he pounded on the nursery door and shouted, "Fire! fire!" And then, of course, the baby awoke with a cry. "Oh, Puss, Junior, what shall I do?" cried the mother, for the cruel flames were now creeping across the hall. "Don't open the door," he cried. "The hall is a mass of flames. Climb through the window[91] to the roof of the porch. Be quick!" and he jumped through the little hall window and ran across the roof to the nursery. "Come out here!" he shouted. "Be quick, or the flames will be in your room before you can get out." <div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/gs21.png" width-obs="233" height-obs="300" alt="Pussing warning of the fire" title="" /></div> Just then, all of a sudden, a ladder was placed against the porch, and a kind fireman with a big red helmet on his head held out his arms. "Give me the baby and follow me." Puss held the top of the ladder to steady it until they were safe on the ground and then slid down without touching the rungs.[92] "Our pretty house will be burned," sobbed the baby's mother. "And my red-top boots," cried Puss. "There goes the stable!" shouted the fireman. "Goodness me!" cried Puss. "I'd better get my Good Gray Horse!" By this time the hose was connected and soon the engine was pumping water on the flames. But, oh, dear me! it was too late. The pretty little house quickly burned to the ground—only the big red chimney was left. It was hard work to save the stable, but at last the flames were put out. "We all must sleep in the hay loft," said Puss. So the Good Gray Horse was led back into his stall. He was the only one who was comfortable that night, I guess. <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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