102 Studies in Rat Catching, [ch. vi. 



and I in the middle of the road, spHsh splash at 

 every step, the water squirting high up our 

 gaitered legs, and the dogs, with drooping tails, 

 dripping coats and woe-begone looks, coming 

 along behind us in Indian file close under the 

 shelter, such as it is, of the hedge. 



We pass the postman, who only nods, and 

 meet a flock of sheep all draggled and dirty. 

 An empty cart with a sack over the seat 

 stands at the pot-house, and pigs wander 

 listlessly about the yard with their backs 

 arched up. Under the waggon-shed some 

 cocks and hens stand each on one leg, with 

 their tails drooping, apparently too disgusted 

 to prune their feathers and fly up to roost in 

 the rafters. The smoke beats down from 

 the chimneys and gets lost in the wind and 

 rain which buffets and pelts at our back. 

 Cold spots begin to be felt at the bend of 

 our arms and knees ; then a shiver runs down 

 the back, which developes into a trickle of 



