To Miss Drewitt it seemed insurmountable, but, aided by Mr.Tredgold and a peal of thunder which came to his assistance at a critical moment, she managed to clamber over and reach the shed.

Mr.Tredgold followed at his leisure with a strip of braid torn from the bottom of her dress.
[Illustration: "Aided by Mr.Tredgold and a peal of thunder, she managed to clamber over."] The roof leaked in twenty places and the floor was a puddle, but it had certain redeeming features in Mr.Tredgold's eyes of which the girl knew nothing.

He stood at the doorway watching the rain.
"Come inside," said Miss Drewitt, in a trembling voice.

"You might be struck." Mr.Tredgold experienced a sudden sense of solemn pleasure in this unexpected concern for his safety.

He turned and eyed her.
"I'm not afraid," he said, with great gentleness.
"No, but I am," said Miss Drewitt, petulantly, "and I can never get over that gate alone." Mr.Tredgold came inside, and for some time neither of them spoke.