Over them the thunder crashed deafeningly.

For a few minutes it was a continual roar, shaking the mountains with mighty reverberations that were like the explosions of giant guns.

Aldous stood holding the untied flap against the beat of the rain.

Twice he saw Joanne's lips form words.

At last he heard her say: "Where is Donald ?" He tied the flap, and dropped down on the edge of the blankets before he answered her.
"Probably out in the open watching the lightning, and letting the rain drench him," he said.