"They'll be going off again to-night." She took an uncertain step toward the French windows.
"Humph!" said Miss Cornelia, "I hope it will be a dry summer." Her hands tightened on each other.

Darkness--darkness inside this house of whispers to match with the darkness outside! She forced herself to speak in a normal voice.
"Ask Billy to bring some candles, Lizzie--and have them ready." Lizzie had been staring fixedly at the French windows.

At Miss Cornelia's command she gave a little jump of terror and moved closer to her mistress.
"You're not going to ask me to go out in that hall alone ?" she said in a hurt voice.
It was too much.

Miss Cornelia found vent for her feelings in crisp exasperation.
"What's the matter with you anyhow, Lizzie Allen ?" The nervousness in her own tones infected Lizzie's.

She shivered frankly.
"Oh, Miss Neily--Miss Neily!" she pleaded.