He felt, in spite of his romantic predilection for her, that he wished she were a boy, so he could say something forcible.

He realized his utter helplessness with these two girls in a city where he knew no one, and he again thought of the three dollars in his pocket-book.

He did not suppose that Maria had more than fifty cents in hers.

Then, too, he was worldly wise enough to realize the difficulty of the situation, the possible danger even.

It was ten o'clock at night, and here he was with two young girls to look out for.
Then Gladys, who had also worldly wisdom, although of a crude and vulgar sort, spoke.