Hilda, still puffing and panting, but smiling bravely, dropped into the little end seat at the back of the car, utterly unaware of the interest she was exciting among the passengers, who stood up, craned their necks, and spoke their commendation of her feat in no hushed tones. She was only aware of the conductor’s cross, kind eyes upon her, and his gently gruff tones when he tried once more to tell her that she must never do such a thing again, that she might have been killed. She wanted to tell him that she wouldn’t, no never, as long as she lived if she could help it; that she was fully as frightened as he at what she had done; but her breath wouldn’t let her, and so she only smiled; and he, still scolding, made his way up the aisle taking tickets.
It was some time before he came back t
