Miss Beach sank on to the seat, and sat with half-closed eyes, moaning feebly.  Winona was terribly alarmed.  She had seen Aunt Harriet before with one of her bad heart attacks, and knew that restoratives ought to be given.  In this lonely spot, with no help at hand, what was to be done?  Suppose her aunt were to faint—­die, even, before aid could be rendered?  For a moment Winona shook like a leaf.  Then, with a rush, her presence of mind returned.  There was only one possible course—­she herself must start the car, and drive to within reach of civilization.  It would need courage!  It was one thing to drive with an experienced instructor at her elbow to shout necessary directions, but quite another to manage alone, with Aunt Harriet half unconscious beside her.  Suppose she were to forget part of her motorists’ catechism, and make some horrible, fatal mistake!  Well, it must be ventured, all the same!  Every minute’s delay was important.

With a nervous shiver she forced herself to action.  She looked first that the clutch was out of gear, and that the ignition was pushed back, then swung round the handle to start the engine.  It had cooled while they were picking daffodils, and she was obliged to repeat the process four times ere the welcome whirring answered her efforts.  She sprang to her seat, took off the brake, and put in the low gear.  Then she put the clutch in with her foot.  But alas! in her tremor and hurry she had done it too suddenly, and stopped the engine!  She could have cried with annoyance at her stupidity.  There was nothing for it but to put the lever again at neutral, put on the brake, and climb out to re-swing the handle.  This time the engine, being warm, was more amiable and condescended to start easily.  Winona leaped into the car, adjusted her levers, put in her clutch more gradually, and the car glided slowly away.  With a feeling of desperation she gripped the steering wheel.  The lane was narrow and twisting, and not too smooth.  Suppose she were to meet a farm cart—­could she possibly pass it in safety?  She had a feeling that she would run into any vehicle that might approach her.  So far the lane was empty, but at any moment an obstacle might arise.  What was that?  There was a sound of baa-ing, and round a corner ran a flock of sheep, urged on by a boy and a collie dog.  Here was the first human being she had seen, and for a second she thought of stopping to ask for help.  But what could a stupid-looking young boy do for her?  No, it were better far to push on.  She managed to sound the hooter, and with a supreme effort kept in the middle of the lane, while the sheep scattered to right and left.  She dared not go any slower, for fear of stopping her engine, but she expected every instant to feel a bump, and find that she had run over one of the flock.  The collie did his duty, however, and in a whirl of barking, shouting, and baa-ing she steered safely through the danger.