And now she had reached the street car line. She was safe, or hoped so. She hailed a car, and took comfort in the fact that there was an elderly woman also waiting for it. The woman scanned her slippers and said “You got caught in the rain, didn’t you!”
Betty had half a notion to ask her for the fare, but concluded that it would be easier to arrange with the conductor. To be real honest, she made her way straight to the conductor and sat down close to where he stood by the box into which one dropped tickets. Fortunately, there were only a few people on this car.
As soon as the woman had paid her fare and gone back to a seat in the after part of the car, Betty spoke to the conductor.
“Can you tell me how to get to this street?” she asked, naming the street and suburb.
The conductor began to punch a transfer, stopping a moment when Betty added that she hadn’t a ticket, but she was scared and wanted to get home and she could give him her father’s address and he would pay her fare. “What’s your father’s business?” asked the conductor.
Betty told him, as the conductor took in Betty’s appearance and the flying, pretty hair from which the scarf had become disarranged. “I’ll take a chance on you, young lady,” said the man with a half smile, “and pay your fare myself. So you got scared, did you? Better not be out alone so late.”
“Oh, never again! Never again,” gasped Betty. “Thank you, so much! Please what is your name, so we can pay you?”
The conductor hesitated, but evidently concluded that it was best to let the affair be settled that way. He told her, slowly.
Again Betty flew along the way home from the street car half an hour later. And oh, how good it was to see a light at home! Yes, Mother, Mother, was still up!
Several short rings did Betty give and when her mother opened the door, she began to cry and laugh a little so hysterically that her mother was alarmed. “What is it, my child? and who brought you home like this?”