Water was scarce. There were only two wells, besides the
pump in the house, and a shallow pond. The brook was a quarter of a
mile off in the valley, and the nearest engine, a poor feeble thing,
at Wattlesea. Moreover, the assailants might discover how small was
the force of rescuers, and return to the attack. Thus, while Griff,
who had given amateur assistance at all the fires he could reach in
London; was striving to organise resistance to this new enemy, my
father induced the gentlemen to cause the horses to be put to the
various vehicles, and employ them in carrying the women and children
to Chantry House. The old Rector was persuaded to go to take care
of his daughter-in-law, and she only thought of putting her girls in
safety. She listened to reason, and indeed was too much exhausted
to move when once she was laid on the sofa. She would not hear of
going to bed, though her little daughter Anne was sent off with her
nurse, grandpapa persuading her that Rosella and the others were
very much tired. When she was gone, he declared his fears that he
had sat down on Celestina's head, and showed so much compunction
that we were much amused at his relief when Martyn assured him of
having searched the carriage with a stable lantern, so that whatever
had befallen the lady he was not the guilty person. He really
seemed more concerned about this than at the loss of all his own
barns and stores.
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