THE SHOWER 147 



The darkness has increased until the sudden 

 flashes of lightning seem doubly blinding, the 

 rain comes down in slanting arrows, with a rush- 

 ing, hissing roar that almost drowns the thunder. 

 The sewer-holes are swirling whirlpools choked 

 with leaves, twigs, and litter of every sort. 



And now a deluge of humanity, caught in the 

 rain which has come so suddenly, passes through 

 the square and seeks shelter from the downpour 

 in every direction. It is interesting to note the 

 different types. It is possible to study human 

 nature and anatomy, and to blend instruction 

 and amusement in this view from our office- 

 windows. 



Here comes a fat woman, with puffy ankles 

 bulging from flat, soft shiny shoes with an elastic 

 V-shaped gore in the sides. She wears whity-gray 

 stockings of generous size, and toes in. She is 

 evidently a person of some determination, as she 

 elbow r s her way to the shelter of the nearest awn- 

 ing. She is rosy, well-dressed, and evidently 

 prosperous, but I am glad I'm not a fat woman 

 with bulging ankles in whity-gray stockings. 



Three barefooted boys come next, laughing, 

 tussling, pushing, and playing tricks on one an- 

 other. The rain splashes on their bare heads 

 and drenches them, but they seek no shelter, but 

 shout, laugh, and splash through the swirling 

 torrents, like ducks. 



