The coach, almost balanced, had fallen back slanting-wise, and with the movement had come the sound of a snap, and a struggling of horses' feet. The voices of the men ceased.
'Something has happened,' said Marion, 'and I can't open this villainous door! Reuben!' she called.
The footman was already climbing on to the coach step, which appeared to be poised in mid-air, and in a moment the two girls were lifted to the ground.
Zacchary was bending over a broken trace.
'Oh!' said Marion in a relieved tone, 'I thought the pole had gone.'
Zacchary's mouth twisted under his beard. 'My lady would sing a different song by and by, when she saw the time it would take to mend the break.'
'You have all your tools, have you not?' asked Marion.
Zacchary straightened himself. 'There bean't nawt in yonder box at all, Mistress. A wor that struck at the sudden hurry of coming away a' clean forgot.'
Marion stood in silent dismay.
Meanwhile, Tony had been scouting ahead, and now trotted down the lane with the news that a likely inn was perched in a hollow over the next hill.