Mrs.Peck always saw to that before retiring.

There was milk in the pantry, brandy in the cupboard.

According to invariable custom, all was in readiness for any possible emergency, and having satisfied himself that this was the case, he thrust his bare feet into boots and went to the door.
It had begun to rain.

Great drops pattered down upon him as he emerged, and he turned back to clap his sou'wester upon his head.

Then, without further preparation, he sallied forth.
As he went down the road that ran to the quay a terrible streak of lightning reft the dark sky, and the wild crash of thunder that followed drowned even the roaring babel of the sea.
It did not check his progress; he was never one to be easily daunted.