We will to the Lord Mayor at daybreak, and tell him how the bridge has been saved.
The people may lament at the destruction of their houses, but sure that is better than that all the city should be ravaged by fire!" Busy indeed were the women of both those abodes upon that memorable night.

From basement to attic their houses were crowded with neighbours who had been burned out, and who must either pass the night in the open air or else seek shelter from friends more fortunate than themselves.
The men, for the most part, were abroad in the streets, drawn thither by the excitement of the great fire, and by the hope of helping to save other persons and goods.

But the women and children crowded together in helpless dismay, watching from the windows the increasing glow in the sky as the sun sank and night came on, and mingling tears of terror for others with their own lamentations over the loss of houses and goods.
Good Rachel Harmer and her daughters and daughter-in-law moved amongst the poor creatures like ministering angels.

The children were fed and put to bed by twos and threes together.

The mothers were bidden to table in relays, and everything was done to cheer and sustain them.