Mrs. T. I command you, Hilda, to tell me where you have been.
Hilda (excitedly removing her wraps and tossing them and her purse in different parts of the room). Such an adventure, mother. I was crossing Elm Street in the shadow of the station, when a horrible man brushed against me, and, before I could prevent him, grabbed my purse, and was endeavoring to tear my watch from my waist——
Mrs. T. Mercy on us, has the child been robbed?
Hilda. He would have gotten away in a moment, had not a tall gentleman suddenly appeared from somewhere, who seized the ruffian and held him until the officer that my screams had summoned arrived.
Mrs. T. Then what did you do?
Hilda. The strange gentleman had just offered to escort me home, when we met Professor Gates, who was kind enough to take me under his protection.
Mr. T. But your rescuer, child? To whom are you indebted?
Hilda. I was so excited that I quite forgot to ask his name.
Prof. G. An unpardonable oversight on our part, Mrs. Templeton.
Mrs. T. That is unfortunate! The whole affair is most horrible.