IN THE SUDS 155 



of them, a lady, had a warm reception. Her husband 

 was sitting behind in the dickey ; and hearing imme- 

 diately after the accident a dreadful howling behind, I 

 turned my head, after getting hold of the horses, and 

 observed a gentleman lying on his back in the road. I 

 supposed, from the noise he was making, that he had 

 received a fractured limb or serious contusion. 



I untied his neck-handkerchief, and asked him where 

 he was hurt. His only reply was the exclamation, " My 

 wife, my wife ! " 



Presently a lady, dripping with soapsuds, came 

 tripping from behind the coach, and bestowing on him 

 part of the benefits she had received in her fall, assured 

 him of her safety, as she raised him from the ground. 



The scene was sufficiently ludicrous, but fortunately no 

 one had received any injury except myself, and it was 

 a ver}^ slight one, having merely grazed my head by its 

 coming in contact with the tiles that overhung the walls 

 of the cottage. We sent to Cambridge for a spare coach, 

 the lady in the meantime changing her dress, when we 

 proceeded safely to London. 



