The leaves of the plants and the tree-boughs outside cut the air crisply.

His window-shade rattled so loudly that he could not believe it was simply that.

A great onslaught of the splendid wind filled the room, and everything waved and sprang as if gaining life.

Then suddenly, without the slightest warning, came a shower of the confection known as molasses-peppermints through the door of the office.

They are a small, hard candy, and being thrown with vicious emphasis, they rattled upon the bare floor like bullets.