There was a heavy cloud in the northwest, and a steady low rumble of thunder.

Lois sat out in the front yard sewing; her face was pink and moist with the heat; the sleeves of her old white muslin dress clung to her arms.

Presently the gate clicked, and Mrs.Jane Maxwell's daughter Flora came toward her over the grass.
"Hullo!" said she.
"Hullo!" returned Lois.
"It's a terrible day--isn't it ?" "Terrible!" Lois got up, but Flora would not take her chair.

She sat down clumsily on the pine needles, and fanned herself with the cover of a book she carried.
"I've just been down to the library, an' got this book," she remarked.
"Is it good ?" "They say it's real good.

Addie Green's been reading it." Flora wore a bright blue cambric dress and a brown straw hat.