the woman leaned back and laughed with a high , tinkling , delighted sound , yes , we have a phone . just to be contrary , as she often was , she stepped toward him again . `` you 're probably wondering what happened while you were away , correct ? '' reaching down he gave her two packages of black jack gum . flames raced up the trunk , roaring , spreading out to every branch . perhaps they could share it together and by joining forces , let their glory rise ten-fold . an alarm sounded in another room . 