Instead of assisting me to bully the several coachmen and urge them forward, they merely stared and grinned at my impatience: one fellow even ventured to rally me upon it--but I silenced him with a look that quelled him for the rest of the journey; and when, at the last stage, I would have taken the reins into my own hand, they all with one accord opposed it.
It was broad daylight when we entered M-- and drew up at the 'Rose and Crown.' I alighted and called aloud for a post-chaise to Grassdale.
There was none to be had: the only one in the town was under repair.

'A gig, then--a fly--car--anything--only be quick!' There was a gig, but not a horse to spare.

I sent into the town to seek one: but they were such an intolerable time about it that I could wait no longer--I thought my own feet could carry me sooner; and bidding them send the conveyance after me, if it were ready within an hour, I set off as fast as I could walk.

The distance was little more than six miles, but the road was strange, and I had to keep stopping to inquire my way; hallooing to carters and clodhoppers, and frequently invading the cottages, for there were few abroad that winter's morning; sometimes knocking up the lazy people from their beds, for where so little work was to be done, perhaps so little food and fire to be had, they cared not to curtail their slumbers.

I had no time to think of them, however; aching with weariness and desperation, I hurried on.