I have been shivering with dread all day, and Jack and I have been quarreling as to which should break it to you." "Break it to me!" echoed Polly, in superb disdain.

"My dear Fairy Godmother, you must think me a weak sort of person! As if the burning down of one patrimonial estate could shatter my nerves! What is a passing home or so?
Let it burn, by all means, if it likes.

'He that is down need fear no fall.'" "It is your only property," said Mr.Bird, trying to present the other side of the case properly, "and it was not insured." "What of that ?" she asked briskly.

"Am I not housed and fed like a princess at the present moment?
Have I not two hundred and fifty dollars in the bank, and am I not earning twenty-five dollars a month with absolute regularity?
Avaunt, cold Fear!" "How was it that the house was not insured ?" asked Mr.Bird.
"I 'm sure I don't know.

It was insured once upon a time, if I remember right; when it got uninsured, I can't tell.