"Do you mind making ready to die?" I said. "I'm sorry, but if we don't
take the next corner, I'm afraid we shall be what is called 'found
later'."

We took it on two wheels, and I then ran Pomfret's near front wheel on
to the low bank by the side of the road.

"Put your arms round my neck," I cried.

She did so, and the next moment we plunged into the bushes. I heard a
wing snap, and the car seemed to mount a little into the air; then we
stopped at a nasty angle, for the off hind wheel was yet in the
channel. I breathed a sigh of relief. Then, still grasping the wheel,
I looked down at my left shoulder.

"I love Harris tweeds," said the girl quietly. "It's just as well,
isn't it?"

All things considered, it was. Her nose was embedded in the cloth
about two inches above my left breast-pocket. In silence I kissed her
hair four times. Then:

"I confess," I said, that the real blue-black hair has always been a
weakness of mine.

At that she struggled to rise, but the angle was against her, and,
honestly, I couldn't do much. The next minute she had found the edge
of the wind-screen--fortunately open at the time of the accident--and
had pulled herself off me.

"My hair must have been--"

"Almost in my mouth," I said. "Exactly. I have been--"

"What?"

"Licking it, my dear. It's awfully good for hair, you know--imparts a
gloss-like and silky appearance. Besides, since--"

"Idiot!"

I climbed gingerly out of the car, and then helped her into the bushes.

"Suffering from shock, Alice? I'm really devilish sorry."

"Not a bit. It wasn't your fault. Between you and me, Hare, I think
you managed it wonderfully."

"Thank you, Alice. That's very sweet of you."

"I hope Pomfret isn't much hurt."

"The little brute. Only a wing, I think. Look here, if we walk into
the village, you can have some lunch--you must want it--at the inn,
while I get some help to get him out."

Just at the foot of the hill we came upon 'The Old Drum,' its timbered
walls showing white behind the red screen of its Virginia creeper.
When I had escorted my lady into the little parlour, I sought the
kitchen. I could hardly believe my ears when the comfortable mistress
of the house told me that at that very moment a toothsome duck was
roasting, and that it would and should be placed before us in a quarter
of an hour. Without waiting to inquire whom we were about to deprive
of their succulent dish, I hastened with the go