Caught in the Rain. 277 



broke the carriage. Here was, indeed, disaster ! 

 The yellow dust of the golden-rod had showered 

 upon us until we were well streaked, and now the 

 generous mud of Jersey by-roads spotted us freely. 

 And in this plight we had to walk to the railway 

 station. It was of little use to talk learnedly in 

 the hearing of others. My companions were set 

 down as tramps, and nothing more, and so, it 

 seemed, were in proper company, for to be thus 

 accounted has been my fate whenever and wherever 

 I have rambled, whether the skies were clear or, 

 as to-day, I chanced to be caught in the rain, 



