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She heard Mrs Rankin calling sharply to her to get down and give a hand with the stretcher

John and Mrs Rankin were disputing

"Can't you shove it in at the bottoo on top"

HerShe was struggling with the head of the stretcher while John heaved at the foot He staggered as heWhen Charlotte took the shafts from him they were slippery with his sweat

"Is he hurt?" she whispered

"Very badly hurt," said Mrs Rankin

"John, I mean"

Mrs Rankin snorted "You'd better ask hi round to the front of the car, anxious to get out of the sight and sound of her He ith an uneven dropping movement of one hip Charlotte followed hiot to wait for Billy and McClane"

He dragged himself aardly into the place beside her

"John," she said, "are you hurt?"

"No But I think I've strained so That's why I couldn't lift that damned stretcher"