She laughs to scorn all that I say.

She stands upon the parapet of the roof, tossing her arms, and crying aloud as she sees building after building catch fire, and the great billows of flame rolling along.

Oh, it is terrible to see and to hear her! Methinks she has gone distraught.
Prithee, go fetch her down by force, dear father, for I trow that naught else will suffice." Father and son looked at each other in consternation.

They had not seriously contemplated the possibility of finding the old woman obstinate to the last.

But yet, now that Dorcas spoke, it seemed to them quite in keeping with what they had heard of her, that she should decline to leave even in the face of dire peril.
"Run to the boat, child!" cried the father.