Was I sore? I was. Any lady would be and of course after the company he seen me in at the hotel what could I expect but to be picked up? But more particularly as he had my name and it with a good reputation, and no one can say different with truth, I simply had to show him where he got off.
"Sir!" I says, just like a play. "Sir! I do not know you. Please beat it at once!"
"I know, but really!" he begged, flashing that white smile. "I'm not trying to be impertenant—let me explain...."
"Explain nothing!" I says very haughty. "I wont listen."
"But I'm not doing what you think!" he cries out. "Please wait until you hear...."
"I've heard that 'please listen' stuff before," I says. "Good-by!"
And then I done the bravest act of my life, not being really acquainted with horses, especially Atlantic City ones. I give the horse a lash and off we went, I trying hard to give the impression of a good rider and not looking back because I dasn't with that animal headed for the steel pier full clip. But I heard the Captain's remarks, just the same.
"By jove, I'll make you listen to me—just for that!" he says. And I heard no more, for the bird which keeps the horses come out and rescued me just before we hit the pier and I got off and started for the hotel, boiling with rage. Me treated like a common chorus girl! Me, once the best known parlor dancing act in the world, and now even more so on the motion picture screen and a lady or dead! I wouldnt of looked at that guy again on a bet—I made up my mind right then and there to show him his mistake and that if my accent wasnt as good as his my morals was better and no attempt on his part could get me to speak to him again.
Well in this state of mind I run into Ma, just before we reached the hotel which she was hurrying to just ahead of me, and believe you me I was sure surprised because I never knew her out so early although she generally is up by seven, but with her curlpapers still on and a kimona and thats different from coming out in public.
"I've been taking my exercise!" she says before I could speak. "And I'm glad to see you do the same," she says.