Then the weather turned against them, and that was
the most unkindest cut of all. Bain and wind there had
been in plenty, but now a thick fog came up from the
sea, and hung over the homestead like a cloud of doom.
At first it was amusing, but, by the third day, it was
becoming almost terrible. Mrs. Galbraith's great idea
was to " keep it out of the house," so no windows were
opened, and the air became stifling. Mademoiselle's



FOG. 69

spirits failed completely, and Wilhelmina began to look
as if she had committed a crime. Most of us have a
weak point that is the first to suffer under a strain.
Mademoiselle's weak point was her head; Wilhelmina's
was her conscience. She could keep it at bay during
daylight, though she was not allowed to leave the house;
but she began to dread the nights unspeakably.
Fortunately, on the fourth day an event occurred
that broke the dreaded monotony. The fog did not clear
away. 'No, but the cat kittened. " And I assure you,"
wrote Mademoiselle, "no long-delayed birth of an heir
to a noble house was ever hailed with warmer acclama-
tions than was the arrival of those three morsels of
felinity. I fear the moral effect on Tabby will be dis-
astrous, but we are all too glad of the distraction to
think of her character and welfare."

At the end of a week the fog was dispersed by a gale ;
but the gale brought snow which rendered the roads im-
passable, and, before the resulting slush was gone, the
fog returned.
