The yellow-veined leaves of the houseplant were arranged like hearts floating in the breeze, their once glossy surface covered by a thin layer of household dust and grime. How many years had the plant longed for the kiss of a gentle rain to wash away this residue of indoor-ness with thousands of cool droplets and to be refreshed in body as well as at root? The plant had, however, become accustomed the dim light of indoor life and would have scorched to a brittle brown husk under the cruel rays of a summer sun.