“I’ll see that you don’t get lost or run over,” he said, comfortingly, with that air of protection that all men, even very young ones like Jack, love to assume toward girls and women, especially pretty ones. 70
And it must be noted that from that instant Jack Turnbull rose forty good points in Lucile’s estimation. It gave her a feeling of grateful security to be piloted through the crowd in this masterly fashion. Soon they had covered the length of the platform and had reached the curb, which was lined with cabs and taxis.
“Here, pile in, all of you,” Mr. Payton commanded, as he looked around to see if they were all there. “I guess you five young people can manage to squeeze into one car. Come, Nellie,” to his wife, “you get right in here,” and he proceeded, with the other men, to help the ladies into the two waiting cabs.
“Pretty close quarters,” said Jack, as he slipped into the square inch of space between Jessie and Evelyn. “I suppose I might have walked,” he was adding, doubtfully, when Lucile broke in with a decided, “Indeed, you shouldn’t have thought of such a thing! What difference does it make if we are a little crowded?”
“That’s all very well for you, Lucy; you’re not having the breath squeezed out of you,” Jessie began, when Phil interrupted, mischievously:
“Why don’t you change places? Lucy doesn’t mind and you do, Jess.”
“You have it!” exclaimed Jack, enthusiastically. “The first minute I saw you, I said to myself, ‘That fellow has brains.’ Come on Jess; vacate,” and he slipped his arm about his cousin, gently lifting her from the seat.
“Go ahead, Lucy,” urged Evelyn from her corner.
So, with a great deal of merriment, the exchange was made, much to the satisfaction of everyone concerned.
The rest of the journey through the traffic-laden streets to the hotel was so vivid a panorama of shifting scenes that, to the unaccustomed eyes of the girls, it seemed like one confused blur.