These were not, as he presently informed Monica, his own property, but hired from a livery stable, according to his custom.
'It won't rain,' he exclaimed, gazing at the sky.

'It _shan't_ rain! These few hours are too precious to me.' 'It would be very awkward if it _did_,' Monica replied, in merry humour, as they drove along.
The sky threatened till sundown, but Widdowson was able to keep declaring that rain would not come.

He took a south-westward course, crossed Waterloo Bridge, and thence by the highways made for Herne Hill.

Monica observed that he made a short detour to avoid Walworth Road.

She asked his reason.
'I hate the road!' Widdowson answered, with vehemence.
'You hate it ?' 'Because you slaved and suffered there.