“I said so,” said Berry.  “Now, if I’d got out and chased it, you’d have had me certified.”

“I agree,” I retorted.  “And if you were to offer to walk to Marvel instead of me, I should have you watched.”

“Don’t be afraid,” was the rejoinder.  “The shock was severe, but I’m not as bad as that.  How soon d’you think you’ll be back?”

I turned to my sister.

“I’m banking on being able to get a car.  But there mayn’t be one.  So, if you can get a lift, don’t wait.”  I pointed to Nobby.  “He’ll want to come with me, so hang on to him.  And if you could find some water”—­I glanced at the oast-house—­“I think he’d be glad of it.”

“All right, dear.  Take it as easy as you can.”

A moment later I was striding along the Marvel road.

By the time I had covered the two miles it was a quarter past one, and I was unpleasantly hot.  I was also conscious of being improperly dressed in an unusually loose grey overcoat, tweed cap, striped cashmere trousers and patent-leather boots.  I had taken off my morning coat and waistcoat before starting to walk, but the heat was awful, and my stiff white shirt and collar were wilting visibly....

I was fortunate to obtain the services of two mechanics, but I must confess that my face fell when the only car that was available proved to be a 1908 Ford....

As we drew up at the fatal corner, the others came out of the oast-house to see what was making the noise.  When they beheld their conveyance, they were profoundly moved.

“Do you mean to say,” said Daphne, “that this is the best you could do?”

I nodded.

“And you’ll have to look sharp if you want to be there before the service is over.  One cylinder’s missing.”

“So’s the skid-pan,” said Berry.  “And where’s the back seat?  I beg your pardon—­I’d got it the wrong way round.  It is facing that way, isn’t it?  Yes.  Oh, but what a line!  What finish!  You know, all it wants is a board with ‘Ancient Lights’ on the radiator, and somebody to close its doors one day in every year, and then, whenever the fowls lay in it, you can turn them out.”

During this eulogy Jonah had been busy transferring the hat-boxes from the Rolls, and two minutes later the mechanics had been given their instructions, and we were ready to start.

I took the wheel, with Jonah sitting beside me.  Daphne and Jill sat upon the back seat, and Berry, in a standing position, Nobby, the hat-boxes, and the buttonholes more than occupied the remaining space.

“Right behind?” I inquired.

“Anything but,” said Berry.  “Still, the door that will shut is closed, so carry on.”

As tenderly as I could, I let In the clutch.

Instantly, with a frightful jerk, the car leapt forward.