A THUNDERSTORM. 37

Then the wood was lit up for a second by a
flash of lightning so bright and dazzling that’
the place when it was gone seemed twice as
dark as before. Quickly after came a clap of
thunder that almost shook the earth, and went
rolling and echoing round the sky.

“Nell, didn’t mother say we must not go
under trees in a thunderstorm?”

Nellie nodded.

“Come along. Let’s go, then,” she said, tak-
ing his hand.

They left their shelter, and were quickly out
in the path, already soaked and slippery under
their feet. Another flash greeted their appear-
ance, and the thunder seemed to surround and
follow them as they dashed along the pathway,
scrambled over the wet gate, and fled like hares
up the road homewards.

The rain changed to hail that pelted down
on their straw hats, and rolled and danced on
the ground in little white balls. Then it was
rain again, a heavy straight down-pour that
soaked through their clothes and made Nellie’s
frock a weight that hindered her, so that, in-
stead of half dragging Harry after her, she
could hardly keep her place at his side.