The conductor, when he came through the next time, eyed her closely and smiled broadly. She did not understand why he should smile at her. After he had been through the car several times he came and sat down by her.
"Nice day, ain't it? Live in Madison?"
"No, sir," she replied, looking away. She did not want to say more, but some power made her add, "I am going to school there."
He seemed pleased.
"Ah, hah! Going to the university?"
"Yes, sir."
"O, I see." He put his knee against the back of the seat in front of her and took an easy position.
"It's a nice town. Wish I could stop off and help you find a boarding-place."
The brakeman, coming through, winked at the conductor as if to say: "I like your 'mash,'" and the terror and shame of her position flashed over Rose, flushing her from head to foot. Her eyes filled with angry tears, and she looked out of the window, not knowing what to do. She was so helpless here, for she was out in the world alone.
The conductor went on serenely, knowing well how scared and angry she was.