THE RETURN. 177

down in the valley the house appeared. They
could see the stream beyond it, and Robert
pointed out to them the fording-place, where they
had crossed on their way, when they first came to
the General’s. The General’s house seemed
now to be nearly down upon a level with the
water. ‘This was an illusion, occasioned by their
high position. They could see the mill-pond,
too, and the bridge ; and Lucy showed her mother
the green store where she and Comfort went a-
shopping. She tried also to see the great stape,
where they got caught by the water from the mill ;
but it was not to be seen. Lucy thought it was
hidden by the mill.

They gazed around upon the prospect for
some time, and then Robert began to move on
towards home. In fact, it was getting near the
evening ; and they saw some clouds in the west,
which made them think it was possible that there
might be a shower coming.

The road was now generally descending ; so
Robert made Hero go pretty fast. The clouds
behind them, however, increased. At last, one,
blacker and larger than the rest, appeared to be
coming up, and Lucy’s mother said that she
believed that there was going to be a shower.
But she was mistaken. It rose higher and higher,
and for a time appeared threatening ; but, after
all, it brought nothing with it but a gust of wind.
After this had passed, the sky was somewhat
clearer, though the sun had set, and the twilight
was fast coming on. Lucy suddenly discovered