The silly geese, instead of remaining on the left of the road, in safety, straightway determined that their haven of refuge was on the opposite side.
Gonk-gonk! Quack-quack! They scrambled, they blundered, they flew.

Some tried to go over the horses, some endeavored to go under.

One landed, full-winged, against the grand duke's chest and swept his vizored cap off his head and rolled it into the dust.

The duke signed to his companions to draw up; to proceed in this undignified manner was impossible.

All laughed heartily, however; all excepting the goose-girl.
To her it was far from being a laughing matter.