Rose, Blanche, and Violet

It was a sultry day in July, and the sun was pouring down from a cloudless heaven intense rays upon the High-street of The heat made the place a desert; more indeed of a desert than even High-streets of country towns usually are. There was a burnt Odour in the atmosphere, arising from the scorched pavement, and rayed forth from the garish brick houses. Silence and noon-day heat reigned over the scene. The deep stillness was brought out into stronger relief by the occasional bark of a dog, or rumbling Of a solitary cart.