like playing with matches and then setting the house on fire . his face hurt and his red fingers hurt , and now , in the warmth , his toes were starting to hurt once more . `` one of his sons wanted it , '' mother said in as noncommittal a voice as she could manage . `` and i want to see your gorgeous mouth on me . she must have known what he was thinking : please let him fall in , not seriously injured , of course , but soaked and put in his place . 