"Not a doubt of it," said I cheerfully. "As she said, Berry's the only husband she's got." Adèle choked. Presently-- "The real reason," she said, "is because she mistrusts her husband even more than I trust mine." When I had worked this out-- "Aha," I said pleasedly. "But then, of course," said Adèle, "she's been married much longer." * * * * * With Rouen as our objective, we left Boulogne the next morning at ten o'clock. To speak more accurately, we left the hotel at ten o'clock and Boulogne itself some forty minutes later. The negotiation of an up-gradient leading out of the town was responsible for the delay. My sister and I shall remember that hill so long as we live. So, I imagine, will Berry. We were half-way up when he stopped the engine for the first time. We were still half-way up when he stopped it for the eighth time. Indeed, it was at this juncture that I suggested that he should rest from his labours and smoke a cigarette. My brother-in-law shook his head. "Shall I slide down backwards and begin again?" he inquired. "No, thanks," said I. "I have a foolish preference for facing death." "D'you think we could push it up?" said Daphne. "Frankly," said I, "I don't. You see, she weighs over a ton without the luggage." Berry cleared his throat. "I am not," he said, "going through the farce of asking what I do wrong, because I know the answer. It's not the right one, but you seem incapable of giving any other." "I am," said I. "Well, don't say it," said Berry, "because, if you do, I shall scream. No man born of woman could let in that clutch more slowly, and yet you say it's too fast. The truth is, there's something wrong with the car." "There soon will be," I retorted. "The starter will fail. Then every time you stop the engine you'll have to get out and crank. That'll make you think." "'Make me think'?" yelled Berry. "D'you think I haven't been thinking? D'you think I'm not thinking now? Haven't I almost burst my brains with thinking?" Daphne began to laugh helplessly. "That's right," added her husband savagely. "See the humorous side. I may go mad any minute, but don't let that stop you." And, with that, he set his foot upon the self-starter. When he had stopped the engine another three times, he applied the hand-brake with unnecessary violence, sank back in his seat, and folded his hands. My sister and I clung to one another in an agony of stifled mirth. Berry closed his eyes. "My work," he said quietly, "is over. I now see that it is ordained that we shall not leave this spot. There's probably an angel in the way with a drawn sword, and the car sees it, although we can't. Any way, I'm not going to fight against Fate. And now don't speak to me. I'm going to dwell on bullock-carts and goat-chaises and other horse-drawn vehicles. I shan't last many minutes, and I should like to die in peace."