“What?” said Carrie.  She was nonplussed at the possibility of the errand being different from what she had thought.

He only looked at her in the most kindly and mollifying way.

“Well, where are you taking me, then?” she asked, her voice showing the quality of fright.

“I’ll tell you, Carrie, if you’ll be quiet.  I want you to come along with me to another city,”

“Oh,” said Carrie, her voice rising into a weak cry.  “Let me off.  I don’t want to go with you.”

She was quite appalled at the man’s audacity.  This was something which had never for a moment entered her head.  Her one thought now was to get off and away.  If only the flying train could be stopped, the terrible trick would be amended.

She arose and tried to push out into the aisle—­anywhere.  She knew she had to do something.  Hurstwood laid a gentle hand on her.

“Sit still, Carrie,” he said.  “Sit still.  It won’t do you any good to get up here.  Listen to me and I’ll tell you what I’ll do.  Wait a moment.”

She was pushing at his knees, but he only pulled her back.  No one saw this little altercation, for very few persons were in the car, and they were attempting to doze.

“I won’t,” said Carrie, who was, nevertheless, complying against her will.  “Let me go,” she said.  “How dare you?” and large tears began to gather in her eyes.

Hurstwood was now fully aroused to the immediate difficulty, and ceased to think of his own situation.  He must do something with this girl, or she would cause him trouble.  He tried the art of persuasion with all his powers aroused.

“Look here now, Carrie,” he said, “you mustn’t act this way.  I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.  I don’t want to do anything to make you feel bad.”

“Oh,” sobbed Carrie, “oh, oh—­oo—­o!”

“There, there,” he said, “you mustn’t cry.  Won’t you listen to me?  Listen to me a minute, and I’ll tell you why I came to do this thing.  I couldn’t help it.  I assure you I couldn’t.  Won’t you listen?”

Her sobs disturbed him so that he was quite sure she did not hear a word he said.

“Won’t you listen?” he asked.

“No, I won’t,” said Carrie, flashing up.  “I want you to take me out of this, or I’ll tell the conductor.  I won’t go with you.  It’s a shame,” and again sobs of fright cut off her desire for expression.

Hurstwood listened with some astonishment.  He felt that she had just cause for feeling as she did, and yet he wished that he could straighten this thing out quickly.  Shortly the conductor would come through for the tickets.  He wanted no noise, no trouble of any kind.  Before everything he must make her quiet.

“You couldn’t get out until the train stops again,” said Hurstwood.  “It won’t be very long until we reach another station.  You can get out then if you want to.  I won’t stop you.  All I want you to do is to listen a moment.  You’ll let me tell you, won’t you?”