At last, however, a man came by alone in a small electric runabout, not unlike Patty’s own.
“Hi! there!” he called out, “you in trouble?”
Patty did not like his mode of address, nor did she like the looks of the man himself. And even though she greatly desired his help, and felt sure that he might have a reserve inner tube which would fit her tire, she hesitated to ask him for it, as she so distrusted and disliked his general appearance. He looked good-natured, but he did not look to be a man of refinement. But while she hesitated, Mona, greatly to Patty’s surprise, took the situation in hand, and called back to the man: “Yes, we’re in a dreadful fix! Can’t you help us out?”
“You bet I can!” cried the man, and, springing from his own car, he came over to Patty’s side.
“What’s wrong, little one?” he said, looking boldly into Patty’s face.
Patty was thoroughly annoyed at his manner, but now that things had gone so far, of course she must carry it through. Sitting up very straight, and assuming an air of severe dignity, she said: “The inner tube of a front wheel has burst, and I have no good one with which to replace it. If you have one you could spare, I should be glad to have it, and I will send you a duplicate one, if you will give me your address, or my father will send you a cheque for the price of it.”
The man looked at Patty and smiled. “You needn’t be so crusty about it,” he said; “the other young miss ain’t so crusty.”
Patty was becoming a little frightened. The man was so easy-mannered, and, though she felt sure she could manage all right by herself, she had a fear that Mona might say something foolish at any moment.
“I don’t mean to be crusty,” said Patty, smiling pleasantly, but without friendliness. “I’m simply asking the courtesy of the road from a fellow-motorist, and I feel sure, if you can, you will give it to me.”
The man backed away a little and looked at Patty with unmistakable admiration. “Well, I just guess I will!” he replied, and went straight to his own tool-box for implements.