"Because I don't think, strictly speaking, that you are over lucky. You are a person who has bad accidents. I've known you in three, any of which might have cost you your life."
"Well, I don't know," said Ewart. "I'd say I was lucky. I've come through the war and two motor accidents, and escaped with my life up till now."
He jumped nervously.
"Oh!" he cried unexpectedly. "Uberufen!" and turned round him to find a piece of wood to touch.
But there was no wood handy. We were in a woodless ravine. He seemed quite anxious and snatched at a piece of dead cactus.
I laughed heartily.
"What do you mean by 'Uberufen'?" I cried.
"I think one ought not to be too sure," said Wilfrid solemnly.
"What a fix, to be in a place with no wood to touch," said I mirthfully. "Supposing under such circumstances one was to touch one's head, implying modestly that it was the nearest thing to wood one could find, do you think the Fate that watches over us would be appeased?"
Ewart smiled.