'Oh, I would have died instead! Why did you try so hard to deliver me ?' And she turned away wildly to run for assistance.
'Elfride, how long will it take you to run to Endelstow and back ?' 'Three-quarters of an hour.' 'That won't do; my hands will not hold out ten minutes.

And is there nobody nearer ?' 'No; unless a chance passer may happen to be.' 'He would have nothing with him that could save me.

Is there a pole or stick of any kind on the common ?' She gazed around.

The common was bare of everything but heather and grass.
A minute--perhaps more time--was passed in mute thought by both.

On a sudden the blank and helpless agony left her face.