“Yes, Miss Jessie,” said the chauffeur, looking up at the clouds that had been gathering. “I think I can get you home before it rains.”
He increased the speed of the car. They had circled around by another way than the Parkville road, and they came through the edge of New Melford. When the automobile shot into Bonwit Boulevard and headed toward Roselawn the first flash of lightning made the girls jump.
Chapman stepped on the accelerator and the car shot up the oiled way. The thunder seemed to explode right overhead. Before the first peal rolled away there was another sharp flash. Although the rain still held off, the tempest was near.
“Oh!” gasped Jessie, covering her eyes.
“There’s the church,” said Amy. “We’ll soon be home now.”
Even as she spoke another crackling stroke burst overhead. The green glare of it almost blinded them. The thunder shook the air. Jessie screamed.
“See! See! Look at the parsonage!” she cried in Amy’s ear.
“Why, the boys must have already strung their 162 wires and got a radio set established,” said Amy.
“Look at the window—that attic window!” Jessie exclaimed. “Don’t you see what I see, Amy Drew?”
“It’s smoke!” said the other girl, amazed.