had gone many steps, she deliberately placed her feet on the opposite
seat, and proceeded to make herself comfortable. In the first place,
much to Gertrude's horror, she took out all her teeth, and put them in
her work-bag; then drew off a pair of black silk gloves, and replaced
them by cotton ones; removed her lace veil, folded and pinned it to the
green string. She next untied her bonnet, threw over it, as a protection
from the dust, a large cotton handkerchief, and loosing her fan, applied
herself diligently to the use of it, closing her eyes as she did so,
evidently intending to go to sleep. She did fall into a doze, for she
was very quiet, and Gertrude, occupied with observing some heavy clouds
that were rising from the west, forgot to observe her fellow traveller,
until she was startled by a hand suddenly laid upon her own, and an
abrupt exclamation of "My dear young damsel, do not those dark shadows
betoken adverse weather?"

"I think it will rain very soon," replied Gertrude.

"This morn, when I ventured forth," soliloquised the old lady, "the sun
was bright, the sky serene; even the winged songsters took part in the
universal joy; and now before I get home, my delicate lace flounces
(glancing at the skirt of her dress) will prove a sacrifice to the
pitiless storm."

"Does the coach pass your door?" asked Gertrude.

"No; Oh, no! not within half-a-mile. Does it better accommodate you, my
young miss?"

"No. I shall have a mile to walk."

The coach had reached its destination, and the two passengers alighted.
Gertrude would have started at once on her walk, but was prevented by
the old lady, who begged her to wait, as she was going the same way. The
old lady refused to pay the fare demanded by the driver; and declared it
was not the regular fare, and accused the man of an intention to put the
excess into his pocket. Gertrude was impatient, for she was every moment
expecting to see the rain pour in torrents; but the matter being
compromised, she was permitted to proceed. They had walked about a
quarter-of-a-mile, and at a very slow rate, when the rain fell; and now
Gertrude was asked to unloose the huge parasol, and carry it over her
companion and herself. In this way they had walked nearly as much more
of the distance, when the waters began to descend as if all the
reservoirs of heaven were thrown open. Just then Gertrude heard a step
behind them, and, turning, she saw George, Mr. Graham's man, running in
th