midday
We 're only in the nick of time . Here comes the rain . '' It was a melancholy truth . The Welsh mountains have a perverse habit of attracting clouds , even in June ; the sky , which had been overcast since midday , was now inky dark , and great drops began to fall . It was a calamity , but one for which everybody was fully prepared . The patrols rushed round the camp loosening ropes , lest the swelling hemp should draw the pegs from the ground , and took a last tour of inspection to see that no bed was in contact with the canvas . `` If you even touch the inside of the tent with your hand you 'll bring the water through , '' urged Catherine in solemn warning ; `` so , for your own sakes , you 'd best be careful .