"
"Very, if we had your mother and papa and mamma and the children here, I
should like to stay all winter. But as it is I think we ought to return
soon." He assented, and after a little more consultation they decided to
go soon--not later than the middle of the next week, but the day was not
set.
CHAPTER FOURTEENTH.
"The low reeds bent by the streamlet's side,
And hills to the thunder peal replied;
The lightning burst on its fearful way
While the heavens were lit in its red array."
--WILLIS GAYLORD CLARK.
"Thither, full fraught with mischievous revenge
Accurs'd, and in a cursed hour he hies."
--MILTON'S PARADISE LOST.
They were alone that evening, and retired earlier than usual. They had
been quietly sleeping for some time when Elsie was wakened by a sudden
gust of wind that swept round the house, rattling doors and windows; then
followed the roll and crash of thunder, peal on peal, accompanied with
vivid flashes of lightning.
Elsie was not timid in regard to thunder and lightning; she knew so well
that they were entirely under the control of her Father, without whom not
a hair of her head could perish; she lay listening to the war of the
elements, thinking of the words of the Psalmist, "The clouds poured out
water: the skies sent out a sound; Thine arrows also went abroad.
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