Page:Carroll - Sylvie and Bruno Concluded.djvu/56

18 was closely followed by a peal of thunder, and by a torrent of rain-drops, which came hissing and spitting, almost like live creatures, through the leaves of the tree that sheltered us.

"Why, it's raining cats and dogs!" I said.

"And all the dogs has come down first," said Bruno: "there's nothing but cats coming down now!"

In another minute the pattering ceased, as suddenly as it had begun. I stepped out from under the tree, and found that the storm was over; but I looked in vain, on my return, for my tiny companions. They had vanished with the storm, and there was nothing for it but to make the best of my way home.

On the table lay, awaiting my return, an envelope of that peculiar yellow tint which always announces a telegram, and which must be, in the memories of so many of us, inseparably linked with some great and sudden sorrowsomething that has cast a shadow, never in this world to be wholly lifted off, on the brightness of Life. No doubt it has also heraldedfor many of ussome sudden news of joy; but this, I think, is less common: