The first drops of rain are huge. They splat into dust and imprint the windows with individual signatures. They plink on the vent pipe and plunk on the patio roof.

• 最初落下来的是铜板大的雨滴,劈劈啪啪地打在土里,在玻璃窗上留下了一个个印记。雨点把排气管敲得叮当作响,露台顶棚上砰砰砰砰,响个不停。