A blue spark flew out of a wash-stand, into Mrs.Shchapoff's bedroom.

Luckily she was absent, and her mother, rushing forward with a water-jug, extinguished a flaming cotton dress.

Bright red globular meteors now danced in the veranda.
Mr.Portnoff next takes up the tale as follows, Mr.Shchapoff having been absent from home on the occasion described.
"I was sitting playing the guitar.

The miller got up to leave, and was followed by Mrs.Shchapoff.

Hardly had she shut the door, when I heard, as though from far off, a deep drawn wail.