Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 1).djvu/212

 his goats, so he thought that the sun and the rain were only made for them.

It is this narrowness of the peasant mind which philosophers never fairly understand, and demagogues understand but too well, and warp to their own selfish purpose and profits.

When the hurricane had lulled and they could leave their refuge, Musa bade him good day, and took her own way to the Sasso Scritto, three miles off; the storm had quite passed, but it had only left the earth more arid and more desolate. Broken branches strewed the ground, and the earth had yawned open in many places as if by an earthquake; the lizards swarmed, making the dry grass crack and rustle as they kissed or fought; here and there out of a hole a snake thrust his black or leaden-coloured head. The intense heat lay like a fog on all the country; a heat breathless, scorching, cruel, in which all hues were blanched and all animal movement seemed suspended.

It was near the close of day; the sun almost touched the horizon; it was dully red, and rayless.

When she reachied the edge of the waves