Alice fell back and grasped in pain and shock. Her chest and shoulder hurt, and she knew they were going to be bruised from the collision. She looked up and grasped once more. Then she quickly stumbled to her feet, giving the gentleman a fearful look. He looked like he was from far off lands - hardly the first she had seen, since ships from all over the world might stop at Whitby - and a gentleman too, judging by his clothes. "I am, ser. I'm so sorry. I hope I didn't break owt. I'm so very sorry." And please don't shout at me or make me pay for anything or become aggressive. she thought. At least she had forgotten her other troubles for a moment, going into the familiar crawling mode she had been taught to adopt before her betters.