And now, shut up in the back part of the depot-wagon, with the roaring wind and splashing, beating rain outside, Thankful's references to fish and ducks and mermaids, even to Mount Ararat, seemed to Emily quite appropriate.
They had planned to spend the night at the East Wellmouth hotel and visit the Barnes' property in the morning.

But it was five long miles to that hotel from the Wellmouth Centre station.

Their progress so far had been slow enough.

Now they had stopped altogether.
A flash of light showed above the top of the carriage boot.
"Mercy on us!" cried Aunt Thankful.

"Is that lightnin'?
All we need to make this complete is to be struck by lightnin'.