"The idea of leaving my house alone, at half-past ten at night, to follow a couple of men through the streets of Boston, and then with my brothers' butler make a scene like that in a--a public dining-room!" Billy sighed in a discouraged way.
"Aunt Kate, can't I make you and the rest of them understand that I didn't start out to do all that?
I meant just to speak to Mr.Bertram, and get him away from that man." "But, my dear child, even that was bad enough!" Billy lifted her chin.
"You don't seem to think, Aunt Kate; Mr.Bertram was--was not sober." "All the more reason then why you should NOT have done what you did!" "Why, Aunt Kate, you wouldn't leave him alone in that condition with that man!" It was Mrs.Hartwell's turn to sigh.
"But, Billy," she contested, wearily, "can't you understand that it wasn't YOUR place to interfere--you, a young girl ?" "I'm sure I don't see what difference that makes.

I was the only one that could do it! Besides, afterward, I did try to get some one else, Uncle William and Mr.Cyril.But when I found I couldn't get them, I just had to do it alone--that is, with Pete." "Pete!" scoffed Mrs.Hartwell.

"Pete, indeed!" Billy's head came up with a jerk.

Billy was very angry now.
"Aunt Kate, it seems I've done a very terrible thing, but I'm sure I don't see it that way.

I wasn't afraid, and I wasn't in the least bit of danger anywhere.