The gathering storm

An original fiction passage set in the nineteenth century.

Harriet could see the house beyond the hill. Between her and its windows lay a field of long grass, stirred by a wind that had begun to pull at her skirts. The sky darkened from the west. She quickened her pace, keeping the basket level so the medicine bottle would not strike the lid.

The first drop fell on her wrist. Then the grass bent all one way. She stopped following the path and crossed towards the gate, lifting the basket against her chest. Thunder rolled behind the hill. At the house, she knocked with her free hand and heard a bolt drawn back. Only after the door opened did she look towards the sky.

Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to show how the landscape increases Harriet’s urgency. Support your answer with references to the passage.