Lister narrated his putting the girl on board the gravel train and Mrs. Cartwright interrupted.
"Do you know if she had money?"
"She had some. Enough to buy a ticket East."
"It's strange," said Mrs. Cartwright, and then exclaimed: "You mean you gave her some?"
"Oh, well," said Lister awkwardly, "I'd seen her look at her purse and frown, and as I helped her up the locomotive steps I pushed a few bills into her hand. I don't think she knew they were paper money. She was highly-strung and anxious to get off before Shillito came along."
Mrs. Cartwright gave him a look that moved him. Her eyes shone and he knew she was his friend.
"The poor girl was strangely lucky when she met you," she said.
Lister resumed his narrative, but it was plain the climax had passed. The others' interest was now polite, and he went on as fast as possible. He had begun to see a light and wanted to finish and get away. He did not, however, see that while he told his artless tale he had drawn his character. When he stopped Cartwright said:
"Then you did not know her name?"
"I don't know it yet," said Lister, as coolly as he could, but got embarrassed when he saw Cartwright's smile.