“‘Besides?’ I could n’t resist saying.
“‘I believe women should take care of themselves.’ “‘But they can’t—always.’
“‘You mean—’ she began rather indignantly.
“‘Well—well—they sometimes have to borrow, you know.’
“‘That’s—that’s mean of you.’
“‘Oh, I—I beg pardon.’
“‘You needn’t. I wish I could return your six francs. I am going to Constantinople to meet my father, who is up from the east. I went all alone—because—there was nobody.’
“‘I’m sorry,’ said I. ‘Now don’t mind me, please.’
“She looked at me then.
“‘I suppose I shall have to tolerate you. You are the only American on this train.’