jan and katrina were down at bram’s house. bram’s house is by the canal.

down the canal came a man in a boat. now and then the man would call “fire” in a loud voice. then he would call “water.”

he was the fire-and-water man. he sells fire and water to the people by the canal.

bram’s mother called,[78] “quick, bram! here comes the fire-and-water man! run for the shovel and buy some coals of fire from him. i need water, too. take the big blue pail with the cover, then you will not spill any of the water. hurry, bram!”

“i will take your pail to the man,” said jan. “i will carry the water and bram can carry the fire.”

so bram and jan ran down to the boat and bought hot coals and fresh water from the man.

then the man sailed on down the canal in his boat. they could hear him calling “fire” and “water.” he was going to sell fire and water to other dutch mothers.