This was not satisfactory; she wanted to use physical force "to subdue her," to "keep her down." There was, on their way home, a field intersected by a stream over which a single plank was placed for a crossing.

It occurred to Mary that it would be a punishment to Nig to compel her to cross over; so she dragged her to the edge, and told her authoritatively to go over.

Nig hesitated, resisted.

Mary placed herself behind the child, and, in the struggle to force her over, lost her footing and plunged into the stream.

Some of the larger scholars being in sight, ran, and thus prevented Mary from drowning and Frado from falling.