"Ummm!" she murmured.

Kate laughed.
"For eighteen years I have been under marching orders," said Kate.
"Over a year ago I was advised by a minister to 'take the wings of morning' so I took wing.

I started on one grand flight and fell ker-smash in short order.

Life since has been a series of battering my wings until I have almost decided to buy some especially heavy boots, and walk the remainder of the way.

As a concrete example, I started out yesterday morning wearing a hat that several very reliable parties assured me would so assist me to flight that I might at least have a carriage.