“There were people going round on horse-back and a few other people on bicycles.”
“I expect they all gave you a pretty wide berth.”
“They did; except one awful man, an old gentleman sailing along looking at nothing.”
“What happened?” laughed Mr. Hancock delightedly.
“It was awful, I was most fearfully rude—I shouted ‘Get out of the way’ and I was on the wrong side of the road; but miles off, only I knew I couldn’t get back I had forgotten how to steer.”
“What did he do?”
“He swept round me looking very frightened and disturbed.”
“Hadn’t you a bell?”
“Yes, but it meant sliding my hand along. I daren’t do that; nobody seemed to want it, they all glided about; they were really awfully nice. I had to go on because I couldn’t get off. I can wobble along, but I can’t mount or dismount. I was never so frightened in my life.”
“I’m afraid you’ve had a very drastic time.”