Page:Barbour--Peggy in the rain.djvu/25

 "Some trees," lied Gordon cheerfully, "but not a magnolia. I supposed that was the reason you selected this one. It's funny about magnolia trees. There's some—some quality in the—I think it's the sap, but it may be the bark—that deflects lightning. I thought of course you knew." He waited for the elements to have their inning. "We're just as safe here as though we were sitting on a glass table. You've never seen a magnolia that had been struck by lightning, have you?"

"N-no." She looked at him doubtfully and essayed a little laugh. "I—I don't believe it, but—it sounds nice!"

"When you know me better," replied Gordon gravely, "you'll want to apologize for that. I"

The thunder had its way again, but the din was less and there had been a perceptible pause between the flash and the clap.

"Hear that? "he asked.

She nodded dumbly, staring straight in front of her with puckered brow, for all the world, thought Gordon with another swift surge of pity, as though she expected some one to strike her.