By the time I had warmed and dried my feet
on the automatic heater under the floor, the water bubbled; and as jets
of steam began to pour from the spout I saw six figures approaching,
dark as if they had been cut out in black velvet against the snow.
"Tea for seven!" I said to myself; but the kettle was large, if the cups
were few.
It took half an hour to dig the car out, and push her up from the hollow
where the snow lay thickest. When she stood only a foot deep, she
consented readily to move. We bade good-bye to the five men, for whom we
had emptied our not-too-well filled pockets, and forged, bumbling, past
St. Flour. It was a great strain for a heavy car, and the chauffeur only
said, "I thought so!" when a chain snapped five or six miles farther on.
"What a good thing Lady Turnour isn't here!" said I, as he doctored the
wounded Aigle.
[Illustration: "_It took half an hour to dig the car out, and push her
up from the hollow where the snow lay thickest_"]
"Lots of girls would be in a blue funk," said he. "I could shake that
beastly woman for not taking you with her.
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