She was a big young woman, broad of shoulder, large of limb, who walked in spite of her heavy foot-wear with an easy rhythm that caused Ernie's heart to leap.
The lorry flashed by.
The girl did not look up, marching steadfastly forward, careless of the passing vehicle; but Ernie caught a glimpse of her profile.
In a moment he was on his feet.
The lorry was travelling fast. Ernie tapped at the partition which divided the body of the car from the driver, and peered through the glass.
The man at the wheel heard, but shook a grim head. He did not mean to stop. Home and beer and the week-end rest lay before him.
Ernie, far too impetuous to think, did not hesitate.
He jumped at the road, fleeting swiftly away beneath him.
It rose up like a careering wave and struck him viciously.
Whether he fell on his feet, his hands and knees, or his back, he never afterwards knew.