go to Stone Henge, but with that exception would be left
unmolested. I do hope you will manage the visit. We met once at
Mrs. Lewin's, and I have a very clear recollection of you.--
Believe me, yours sincerely,

Emily Failing



X

The rain tilted a little from the south-west. For the most part
it fell from a grey cloud silently, but now and then the tilt
increased, and a kind of sigh passed over the country as the
drops lashed the walls, trees, shepherds, and other motionless
objects that stood in their slanting career. At times the cloud
would descend and visibly embrace the earth, to which it had only
sent messages; and the earth itself would bring forth clouds
--clouds of a whiter breed--which formed in shallow valleys and
followed the courses of the streams. It seemed the beginning of
life. Again God said, "Shall we divide the waters from the land
or not? Was not the firmament labour and glory sufficient?" At
all events it was the beginning of life pastoral, behind which
imagination cannot travel.

Yet complicated people were getting wet--not only the shepherds.
For instance, the piano-tuner was sopping. So was the vicar's
wife. So were the lieutenant and the peevish damsels in his
Battleston car. Gallantry, charity, and art pursued their various
missions, perspiring and muddy, while out on the slopes beyond