When they had rambled round the top of the hill, and Florence had sketched one of the prettiest points of view, a favorite book was brought out, and the boys seated themselves at her feet to listen while she read aloud. They had perched themselves on a part of the hill that jutted out, commanding an uninterrupted prospect of the highroad, which wound round the foot immediately beneath them; and it was at first an amusement to Fred to note how small the few figures looked which had passed along it. By and by the little fellows’ heads drooped heavily on Florence’s knee; but, absorbed in the book, she noticed nothing unusual, till Walter said in her ear: “Donna, there’s a storm coming up; I can feel it on the air.” “So can I,” added Fred plaintively. “My poor head is aching so badly I don’t know what to do.” Florence looked anxiously around. She knew that Walter, with boyish enthusiasm, liked to watch the warring elements, but she had heard Fred pathetically describe his sufferings during the tempests he had witnessed in India. The child’s nervous temperament, always delicate, was severely affected by the change in the weather; and when she tried to arouse him that they might seek a shelter ere the storm overtook them, he sank on the ground, moaning with the acute pain in his temples. There was not a cottage near, and for a few minutes she knelt beside her helpless charge in great perplexity. “Let me run to the Court and ask Mrs. Wilson to send the pony chaise for you and Fred,” suggested his braver brother. Florence glanced at the threatening sky above them. “My dear boy, it is such a distance to let you go alone.” “Nonsense, Donna! I don’t mind it a bit. It’s no use to stay here, for it will be hours before Fred is better.” This seemed too feasible to be denied. “I’ll run all the way,” Walter added eagerly. “And old John will soon rattle the chaise here, with plenty of cloaks and umbrellas.” Reluctantly Florence consented to let him go. But no sooner had she given a faint consent than, delighted to prove his courage by the undertaking, Walter bounded down the hill. He stopped a moment at the foot to wave his cap, then vaulted over the stile, and she saw him run swiftly toward the field path by which they came, just as a deafening clap of thunder was followed by a few large drops of rain.