His father was lying upon the bed, in his underclothes, face downward, and Uncle Gideon sat near by, swinging backward and forward in a rocking-chair, stroking his long white beard and gazing at the ceiling as he talked.

Bibbs beckoned him urgently, but Uncle Gideon paid no attention.
"Bildad the Shuhite spake and his says, 'If thy children have sinned against Him and He have cast them away--'" There was a muffled explosion beneath the floor, and the windows rattled.

The figure lying face downward on the bed did not move, but Uncle Gideon leaped from his chair.

"My God!" he cried.

"What's that ?" There came a second explosion, and Uncle Gideon ran out into the hall.
Bibbs went to the head of the great staircase, and, looking down, discovered the source of the disturbance.