Dat's nothin' but de creek," while a violent lurch of the carriage sent her to the opposite side from where she had been sitting.
A few mad plunges, another wrench, which pitched 'Lina headlong against the window, and the steep, shelving bank was reached, but in endeavoring to climb it the carriage was upset, and 'Lina found herself in pitchy darkness.

Perfectly sobered now, Caesar extricated her as soon as possible.

The carriage was broken and there was no alternative save for 'Lina to walk the remaining distance home.

It was not far, for the scene of the disaster was within sight of Spring Bank, but to 'Lina, bedraggled with mud and wet to the skin, it seemed an interminable distance, and her strength was giving out just as she reached the friendly piazza, and called on her mother for help, sobbing hysterically as she repeated her story, but dwelling most upon her ruined dress.
"What will Hugh say?
It was not paid for, either.

Oh, dear, oh, dear, I most wish I was dead!" she moaned, as her mother removed one by one the saturated garments.
The sight of Hugh called forth her grief afresh, and forgetful of her dishabille, she staggered toward him, and impulsively winding her arms around his neck, sobbed out: "Oh, Hugh, Hugh! I've had such a doleful time.