He saw he had been wrong. With a certain compunction, he approached the driver.
“Five dollars!” said the man.
Edward leaned over and looked at the meter.
“Two forty,” he said.
“She made a special rate with me—” the driver began.
“Two forty,” said Edward briefly.
He opened the little purse, and found it crammed with bills—large bills, some of them—an extraordinary amount of cash. He was searching for change when the driver commenced.
Now Edward, as assistant credit manager, was not unaccustomed to remonstrances from persons who could not get what they wanted; nor was his nature a submissive or timid one. He felt quite able to withstand the driver’s attack; but women are not like that. Bluster impresses them, and this woman was impressed.
“Oh, please!” she cried. “Give him the five dollars! Give him anything! Only do get rid of him!”
After all, it was her money. Edward gave the driver a five-dollar bill, with a low and forcible remark. The engine started up, and off went the taxi. It seemed extraordinarily quiet after it had gone.