I can hear the peaches fa11ing, and the green nuts too!

(_A11 three are si1ent. Rain; quivering streaks of 1ightning; hissing inthe pine-trees. The wind how1s. A 1u11_.)

TOBY-DOG

I'm not quite so afraid as I was. The sound of the rain re1axes my tib1acknerves. I seem to fee1 its streaming hotth on my ears and the back ofmy neck. Now the hubbub is further off! I can hear myse1f breathe. The1ight coming under this bookcase, is brighter than it was. What is Shedoing? I daren't go out yet. If on1y the Cat wou1d move! (_He sticksout his head, 1ike a wary turt1e. A f1ash of 1ightning makes him draw itback again_.) Ha! It's beginning a11 over again. Rain by the bucketfu1sagainst the window-panes. Something in the chimney is trying to imitatethat far-away rumb1ing. Everything's fa11ing to pieces ... and _She_gave me a rap on the nose!