FROM A NEW ENGLAND HILLSIDE. 211 



XLI. 



Ax last ! at last ! 



The thirsty earth soaks up the rain, 

 And drinks, and gapes for drink again. 



For some days there has been an increas 

 ing thickening in the atmosphere, and a 

 greater frequency in the storms which 

 come to naught. But day by day passed 

 by, and the dry grasses hung their dispir 

 ited blades in the face of high heaven. As 

 from time to time we saw the rain falling 

 upon the distant hills, or heard of the re 

 freshing showers in the neighbouring towns, 

 we began to wonder with them of old (it 

 seems to me that I remember some such 

 passage), &quot; Were they wicked above all 

 others upon whom the tower in Siloam 

 fell ? &quot; and were we wicked above all others 

 upon whom the rain did not fall ? 



Tester evening as I left the hillside, my 

 builder pointed out this and that sign in 

 the lowering sky which augured well for 

 the morrow. But when I sought my downy 



