It was some time first, and the rain still did not fall.

It was very black, and flashes from distant lightning with mutterings of the thunder were frequent and threatening; still no rain unless a few ominous drops.
At last voices and fluttering muslins came down the road; the flutter came near, and in poured a stream of gay people at the door of the poor little room.

Gay as to their dress and attire, that is; for gayety was not to be found at present in their words and behaviour.

The woman in the chimney corner hugged up closer her dirty baby with the delight of so unwonted a feast to her eyes.
"Is there nothing better than _this_ to be had ?" said Mrs.Fish.And her tone was indescribable.
"How long have we got to remain here, doctor ?" said a more cheery voice.
"Mrs.Stanfield, until the rain has come, and gone." "It would be better to be out in it," whispered Theresa to her mother.
"My love, there is no other shelter on this side the river." "There will not be standing room for us all presently--" said Eloise Gary.
Pretty nearly so; for when the second detachment of the party arrived, in a minute more, people looked at each other across a throng of heads.
They got in; that was all.

To sit down or to move much was out of the question.
"Daisy, you can't have this big chair of yours in here," said Ransom in an energetic whisper.