““Mr. Carter’s burns were serious. His hair and eyebrows were singed, his face was swollen, both arms were bandaged. He lay still with his eyes closed. But Minty had no thought to spare for him. “Mr. Carter, where is Maia? Your daughters say you went back for her. Did you bring her out safely?” “I…tried…” lied Mr. Carter. “I went right to her door, but it was impossible. An inferno…” Miss Minton swayed. “I am not the kind of person who faints,” she said as the sister moved toward her. But there she was wrong.””
