“Go back! Go back, you damned little fools!” he yelled furiously: “Get into the house!”

They stopped, aghast: and began to realise that after all it was a storm of more than ordinary violence. They discovered that they were drenched to the skin⁠—must have been the moment they left the house. The lightning kept up a continuous blaze: it was playing about their father’s very stirrup-irons; and all of a sudden they realised that he was afraid. They fled to the house, shocked to the heart: and he was in the house almost as soon as they were. Mrs. Thornton rushed out:

“My dear, I’m so glad.⁠ ⁠…”

“I’ve never seen such a storm! Why on earth did you let the children come out?”

“I never dreamt they would be so silly! And all the time I was thinking⁠—but thank Heaven you’re back!”

“I think the worst is over now.”