unease was slowly becoming genuine fear as he realized that he was
expected not only to ride in the thing, but to direct its course and
speed.
Unable to delay any longer, he approached and patted the bonnet.
'Hey there!' he told it grimly. With an unbroken anima you must
establish mastery from the first contact.
'Get in! ' Michael was still in charge and Sean obeyed, placing Ruth
in the middle of the front seat and himself nearest the door. On
Ruth's lap Storm bounded and squealed with excitement. The delay while
Michael consulted the handbook at length did nothing for Sean's
confidence.
'Ruth, don't you think it wise to leave Storm behind-just this first
time?'
'Oh, she isn't any trouble.' Ruth regarded him quizzically, then
smiled. 'It's really quite safe, darling. ' Despite her assurance,
Sean stiffened in terror when the motor finally roared into life; and
he held that pose, staring fixedly ahead, during the whole of their
triumphal progress through the streets of Ladyburg. Citizens and
servants boiled from the houses along their route and lined the road to
cheer in wonder and delight.
At last they were back in Protea Street and when Michael stopped
outside the cottage Sean escaped from the vehicle like a man waking
from a nightmare. He firmly vetoed the suggestion that the family
motor to church, on the grounds that it was irreverent and in bad
taste. The Reverend Smiley was flattered that Sean remained awake
throughout his sermon, and judged by Sean's worried expression that at
last he was in fear for his soul.
After church Michael went out to Theuniskraal to eat Christmas dinner
with his parents, but returned early in the afternoon to begin Sean's
instruction. The entire population of Ladyburg turned to watch Sean
and Michael circling the block at a walking pace. By early evening
Michael decided that Sean was ready for a solo circuit and accordingly
he disembarked.
Alone at the wheel, sweating nervously, Sean looked at the sea of
expectant faces around him and saw Mbejane grinning hugely in the
background.
'Mbejane! ' he bellowed.
-Nkosi! I I
'Come with me,' and Mbejane's grin dissolved. He backed away a little.
It was unnatural that a vehicle should move of its own accord-and
Mbejane wanted no part of it.
'Nkosi, there is much pain still in my legs.
Among the crowd were many of the Zulu labourers from Lion Kop, who had
come down from the hills when news of the miracle reached them.
Now one of these laughed in such a manner as to cast doubt on Mbejane's
courage. Mbejane drew himself to his full height and withered the man
with his eyes, then he stalked proudly to the Rolls, sat on the seat
beside Sean and folded his arms across his chest.
Sean drew a deep breath and gripped the steering-wheel with both hands,
