"I ain't got any," replied 'Tilda Jane.
"Then you must buy one," said the old lady; "have you got any money, my dear?"
'Tilda Jane never thought of asking the conductor if he had not been informed of her mishap. She never dreamed that the pleasant-faced young man had forgotten to ask that she be carried back to the station for which she had bought her ticket. Therefore she drew her handkerchief from her pocket, untied a knot in its corner, and slowly produced fifty cents.
"Is that all the money you've got?" asked the conductor, briskly.
"Yes, sir."
"Where do you come from?"
'Tilda Jane preserved a discreet silence.
"Put it up," he said, waving his hand toward the handkerchief and immediately going away.
"Oh, what a nice kind man!" said the old lady. "He's going to let you ride free."
'Tilda Jane breathed more freely, and returned her handkerchief to its place.