but I thought that
I, who was old enough to study about oceans, avalanches, earthquakes,
and volcanoes, ought not to be afraid of such rain, thunder, and
lightning as we had in our free, enlightened, and Christian country.
So I thanked her "no," which was very well; for, if I had stayed, that
wouldn't have happened that did happen,--or, at least, I would n't have
seen it. Well, I set out for home, bravely breasting the wind, and
really enjoying the rain, in spite of my new sun-bonnet getting every
minute more limp and flappy. I remember wondering if it was raining at
that very time in China, right under my feet. If so, study on it as I
would, I could n't make it seem any other way than that it rained
upwards there. I was thinking of such things, and not expecting
anything particular to happen, till I got in sight of home, past the
old Phillips place, where it did happen. It was here I first noticed
over my head the blackest of black clouds, big with barrels of rain. I
started into a run, to get out of the way, when--now it is coming, what
I was going to relate! No, I must first tell you that there was near
me then no house, nor tree, nor even bush, that it could have dropped
or jumped off from. Now it really is coming! Well, right down before
my eyes, straight out of that cloud, fell--_a little frog_!! There, it
is out! I like to take people by surprise, and not, like some
story-tellers, drag my listeners all "round Robin Hood's barn" before I
get at a thing.

I stood stock still for a moment, in wonder and astonishment. Then,
half afraid, I picked the little creature up out of the sand. He was
of a greenish-brown, brightening to gold in the sun. His limbs were
extremely delicate, and his eyes were as bright as diamonds. I carried
him gently home, and ran with him in the greatest excitement to my
mother, exclaiming, "O mamma! do look at this lovely little frog! It
is n't human! It came right down to me out of the sky. I do believe
it is an angel-frog!"

My mother laughed, but, on being told the story of Froggy's descent
from the clouds, said it was a great marvel and mystery where he came
from, and how he got there. Glad of a chance to display my learning, I
said, "Why, mamma, you know the stars are round balls, like our earth,
swinging in the air; and may be he was whirled off one of them, or
maybe he jumped off the horn of the moon last night, and has been
travelling ever since. Poor little fello