I, however, would not be denied.

I went up to him in his bed chamber, and I told him what I had seen, and warned him that there was need for prompt action.

But he only answered with an oath and a ribald jest, which I will not repeat in the hearing of my wife or mother; and he would have turned again to his slumbers, had I not well nigh forced him to get up, and had not some of the aldermen arrived at that minute to speak of the matter, and inquire into its magnitude.

They be all of them disposed to say that it will burn itself out fast enough like other fires; but I trow some amongst them are aroused to a fear that it may spread far in this dry wind, and with the houses so parched and cracked with heat.

Then I came away, having done mine errand, and went back to the fire.