I hardly breathed until the corkscrew uncurled itself at last and turned into an ordinary downhill road. Our car slackened speed, and finally, as we came upon the first long, level stretch, to my astonishment moved slower and more slowly until it stopped dead.
XI
A CHAPTER OF BRAKES AND WORMS
Mamma laughed one of those coquettish, twenty-five-year-old laughs that go with her auburn hair and her crowns.
"Well, have you decided to give us a chance to breathe, after all?" she asked. "I should say it was about time."
"I'm afraid you'll breathe maledictions when you hear what is the matter," said our Chauffeulier.
"Good gracious! what's happened?" exclaimed Mamma. "If the thing's going to explode, do let us get out and run."
"So far from exploding, she's likely to be silent for some time," Mr. Barrymore went on, jumping down and going to the automobile's head. "I'm awfully sorry. After the delays we've suffered, you won't think motoring is all it's painted, when I tell you that we're in for another."
"Why, what is it this time?" Mamma asked
.