Трое в лодке не считая собаки

           Irememberaholidayofminebeingcompletelyruinedonelateautumnbyourpayingattentiontotheweatherreportofthelocalnewspaper. "Heavyshowers,withthunderstorms,maybeexpectedtoday,"itwouldsayonMonday,andsowewouldgiveupourpicnic,andstopindoorsallday,waitingfortherain. —Andpeoplewouldpassthehouse,goingoffinwagonettesandcoachesasjollyandmerryascouldbe,thesunshiningout,andnotacloudtobeseen. 

           "Ah!"wesaid,aswestoodlookingoutatthemthroughthewindow,"won’ttheycomehomesoaked!" 

           Andwechuckledtothinkhowwettheyweregoingtoget,andcamebackandstirredthefire,andgotourbooks,andarrangedourspecimensofseaweedandcockleshells. Bytwelveo’clock,withthesunpouringintotheroom,theheatbecamequiteoppressive,andwewonderedwhenthoseheavyshowersandoccasionalthunderstormsweregoingtobegin. 

           "Ah!they’llcomeintheafternoon,you’llfind,"wesaidtoeachother. "Oh,won’tthosepeoplegetwet. Whatalark!" 

           Atoneo’clock,thelandladywouldcomeintoaskifweweren’tgoingout,asitseemedsuchalovelyday. 

           "No,no,"wereplied,withaknowingchuckle,"notwe. Wedon’tmeantogetwet—no,no." 

           Andwhentheafternoonwasnearlygone,andstilltherewasnosignofrain,wetriedtocheerourselvesupwiththeideathatitwouldcomedownallatonce,justasthepeoplehadstartedforhome,andwereoutofthereachofanyshelter,andthattheywouldthusgetmoredrenchedthanever. Butnotadropeverfell,anditfinishedagrandday,andalovelynightafterit.