It now began to strike the hour.

At the end something grated slightly.

Then, without any warning, the clock slowly inclined forward and fell at full length upon the floor.
The crash brought the farmer's wife rushing into the room.

Christine had well-nigh sprung out of her shoes.

Mrs.Wake's enquiry what had happened was answered by the evidence of her own eyes.
'How did it occur ?' she said.
'I cannot say; it was not firmly fixed, I suppose.