Suppose the rope broke?
Brenda was quite quiet now.

She said afterwards that she must have fainted.

And now the light was nearer and nearer.

Now Lucy was in it, for the bucket had been drawn right up, and hands were reached out to draw it over the side of what seemed like a well.

At that moment Lucy saw in a flash what might happen if the owners of the hands, in their surprise, let go the bucket and the windlass.