Jessie by Walter Aimwell

The dull Sabbath morning mentioned in the last chapter, proved the / beginning of one of those long and dreary storms, not unusual in the / spring of the year. The sun did not show himself for half an hour during / the whole week, but snow, sleet, rain, drizzle, high winds, and leaden / skies, had everything their own way. The old people said it was the / "equinoctial," or "line" storm; and their opinion was not in the least / disturbed, if Marcus suggested that many scientific men believed the / notion of such a storm to be a popular delusion. It certainly was not a / very auspicious time to express any doubts on this point-in the midst of / a seven days' storm, happening in the very week of the equinox; so / Marcus, without seriously doubting that the men of science were right, / concluded it were wiser to postpone any argument on the subject until a / dryer season.

The younger members of Mrs. Page's family found little chance for / out-door sports, during this tedious storm. Still, the time did not pass / heavily with them. All but Kate and Otis had their regular daily work to / perform; but as it was divided among several pairs of hands, it was not / very arduous, at this season of the year. Jessie's work, however, was an / exception, for she insisted upon devoting most of her time, when / released from study, to household duties. On Wednesday and Saturday / afternoons, Marcus frequently invited Oscar and Ronald to help him about / some extra job or other; but all such jobs were now finished up, as far / as they could be until the season should open for out-door operations. / The farming tools had been put in complete order, the potatoes sorted / for planting, the cellar cleaned out, and when Wednesday afternoon came, / with a pouring rain, Marcus told the boys they must amuse themselves as / best they could, as he had nothing for them to do.