k; Dotty limped badly; and all the while the cruel thorn
was triumphantly working its way farther in. The Crossman orchard was
not very far away now; but when they had reached it, and had crept under
the fence, why, where were the strawberries? What the boys had not
gathered they had trampled down; and the truth was, there had been very
few in the first place. There was nothing to do but pluck here and there
a stray berry, and make the most of it.

"This is what I call a shame," sighed Jennie; "and look at the sky; it's
growing as black as a pickpocket."

"Why, yes," moaned Dotty; "how fast that sun has gone down!"

But this was a mistake. It was only six o'clock. The sun, understanding
his business perfectly, had not hurried one jot. The clouds were merely
spreading a dark background for some magnificent fireworks; in other
words, a thunder-shower was coming up.

"Let's go right straight home," said Jennie; and Dotty was glad to hear
the words, for in her own brave little heart she had determined not to
be the first to surrender.

"Let's go across the fields," she replied; "it's the nearest way home."

By this time heavy drops were pattering down on the long grass, and
making a hollow sound on the little girls' hats.

"Why, it's raining," remarked Dotty.

"You don't say so," sniffed Jennie, whose temper was quite upset,
"perhaps you think you're telling some news."

Then came the frightful boom of thunder.

"What's that?" whispered Dotty, with white lips. "I'm afraid, Jennie; I
certainly am."

"For shame, Dotty Dimple! I thought you were the girl that knew all
about God and the Bible. I shouldn't think you'd be afraid of thunder!"

"O, but I am!" was the meek reply. "I'm as afraid as I can live."

"There, hush up, Dotty! When you've been and got us into a fix, you'd
better keep still."

"I, Jennie Vance? I never! What a story!"

"You did, Miss Dimple; you spelt it out in the Reader,--'straw-bry;' or
I shouldn't have thought of such a thing."

"Well, I didn't care much about going, now truly, Jennie; for I don't
feel very well."

"You _seemed_ to be very much pleased. You said, 'How nice!' as much as
twice; and didn't you almost laugh out loud in the spelling class? Hark!
what a clap!"

"I should think you'd be ashamed," said poor Dotty, hopping on one foot.
"When I laughed it was to see Charlie Gray make up faces. And should I
have gone barefoot if it hadn't been for you?"

"Well, there, Dotty D