Charnock jumped out and ran towards their heads, but Sadie raised her whip with a gesture of command.
"Don't butt in, Bob; I'm going to take them past." Charnock stood back obediently, though his alert pose hinted that he was ready to run forward if he were needed, and Helen studied his companion.
Sadie, dressed in black and white, with a black feather in her white hat, was braced back on the driving seat, with one hand on the reins while she used the whip.

There was a patch of bright color in her face, her eyes flashed, and the rigidity of her figure gave her an air of savage resolution.

She looked a handsome virago as she battled with the powerful horses, which plunged and kicked while the wagon rocked among the ruts.

Helen watched the struggle with somewhat mixed feelings.

This was the girl for whom Bob had given her up! After an exciting minute or two Sadie forced the horses to pass the fluttering paper, and then pulled them up.
"Where's Stephen ?" she asked.
Helen said he was harrowing on the other side of the rise, and Sadie, getting down, signed to Charnock.
"Put the team in the stable, and then go and look for Festing.