THE WHEELS OF CHANCE
gravel, with his feet between the fork and the stay of the machine. The concussion on the gravel shook his entire being. He remained in that position, wishing that he had broken his neck, wishing even more heartily that he had never been born. The glory of life had departed. Bloomin' Dook, indeed! These unwomanly women!
There was a soft whirr, the click of a brake, two footfalls, and the Young Lady in Grey stood holding her machine. She had turned round and come back to him. The warm sunlight now was on her face. "Are you hurt?" she said. She had a pretty, clear, girlish voice. She was really very young—quite a girl, in fact. And rode so well! It was a bitter draught.
Mr. Hoopdriver stood up at once. "Not a bit," he said, a little ruefully. He became painfully aware that large patches of gravel scarcely improve the appearance of a Norfolk suit. "I'm very sorry indeed———"
"It's my fault," she said, interrupting and so saving him on the very verge of calling her "Miss." (He knew "Miss" was wrong, but it was a deep-seated habit with him.) "I tried to pass you on the wrong side." Her face and eyes seemed all alive. "It's my place to be sorry."
"But it was my steering———"
"I ought to have seen you were a Novice"—with a touch of superiority. "But you rode so straight coming along there!"
She really was—dashed pretty. Mr. Hoopdriver's feelings passed the nadir. When he spoke again
26
