Robert Lloyd accompanied Ellen home, though she had said timidly that she was not in the least afraid, that she would not trouble any one, that she could take a car.

Cynthia herself had insisted that Robert should escort her.
"It's too late for you to be out alone," she said, and the girl seemed to perceive dimly a hedge of conventionality which she had not hitherto known.

She had often taken a car when she was alone of an evening, without a thought of anything questionable.

Some of the conductors lived near Ellen, and she felt as if she were under personal friendly escort.

"I know the conductor on that car, and it would take me right home, and I am not in the least afraid," she said to Robert, as the car came rocking down the street when they emerged from Cynthia's grounds.
"It's a lovely night," Robert said, speaking quickly as they paused on the sidewalk.