Mr. Britling Sees It Through by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
page 15 of 516 (02%)
page 15 of 516 (02%)
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Section 5 "Perhaps," said Mr. Britling without assurance, and after a little peaceful pause, "I can reverse out of this." He seemed to feel some explanation was due to Mr. Direck. "You see, at first--it's perfectly simple--one steers _round_ a corner and then one doesn't put the wheels straight again, and so one keeps on going round--more than one meant to. It's the bicycle habit; the bicycle rights itself. One expects a car to do the same thing. It was my fault. The book explains all this question clearly, but just at the moment I forgot." He reflected and experimented in a way that made the engine scold and fuss.... "You see, she won't budge for the reverse.... She's--embedded.... Do you mind getting out and turning the wheel back? Then if I reverse, perhaps we'll get a move on...." Mr. Direck descended, and there were considerable efforts. "If you'd just grip the spokes. Yes, so.... One, Two, Three!... No! Well, let's just sit here until somebody comes along to help us. Oh! Somebody will come all right. Won't you get up again?" And after a reflective moment Mr. Direck resumed his seat beside Mr. Britling.... |
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