Feeling somber, Beatrice now was completely exhausted. She headed back into her bedroom, got ready for bed, and climbed gratefully into the soft bed that was piled high with quilts and down-filled pillows.
Beatrice was jolted awake by Noo-noo’s sharp, urgent barking around midnight. Beatrice flung off the covers, grabbed her robe, and stuck her feet into a pair of slippers, rushing out to see what was the matter. The corgi, still barking frantically, looked relieved at seeing Beatrice, but continued to bark, pointing herself at the front door.
Beatrice hurried up to the door and warily looked out the window. At the sight of orange and red flames rising up and billowing black smoke, her heart started pounding in her chest.
