I was amazed; first, that she could be guilty of such a vile trick; and second, that she had had the hardihood to acknowledge it, even to a boy like me. My respect for the knowledge and penetration of the gentlemanly conductor rose about ten degrees, and I was tempted to say to myself that I would never again interfere in behalf of another "lone woman," especially if she was the mother of one as smart as her son Charles. "You needn't tell that nasty conductor what I say," said Mrs. Whippleton, as if conscious that she had been imprudent in revealing so much to me. "I don't think he needs to be told. It appears now that he understood the case perfectly," I replied, disgusted with my seat-mate. "He said you did not have any ticket, and that it was all a trick to evade paying your fare." "He didn't know that. He may say just the same thing six times, and be mistaken five on 'em." "Didn't you intend to pay your fare?" "Perhaps I should, if they hadn't pussicuted me so in the beginning." "But you didn't buy a ticket." "No, I didn't. You are a green boy. What difference does it make to this railroad company whether I paid my fare or not? They've got money enough." "But they wouldn't make much if people didn't pay." "It don't make no difference if one don't pay now and then. You hain't seen much of the world yet, my boy. When you have lived to be as old as I am, you'll know more." "I hope I shall not live so long as to be proud of being dishonest," I replied, with considerable spirit. "Dishonest? What do you mean by that? Do you pretend to say I'm dishonest?" "Well, madam, we needn't quarrel about words; but, if I had tried to cheat the railroad company out of twelve dollars, or twelve cents, I should call it being dishonest." "You are a silly boy." "I hope I always shall be silly, then. I should think God had forsaken me, if I could deliberately try to wrong any one." "You haven't seen the world. I have worked hard in my time. It took me a good while to earn twelve dollars; and when I see a chance to save twelve dollars, I generally always does so." "You don't steal twelve dollars--do you--when you get a chance?" "Steal! I hope not. I never did such a thing in my life. No, I'm an honest woman; everybody that knows me will say that. If that nasty conductor had used me well, I should have paid my fare; but it won't make no difference to the company whether I did or not. Why shouldn't Mr. Collingsby pay his fare as well as me?" "He did; I saw him give up his ticket." "You are a green boy. His ticket! It was a free pass. His father is a great railroad man, and the whole family ride for nothing whenever they please. It is just as right that I should go free as he; and I can tell you, if I can get over the road for nothing, it is my duty to do so--a duty I owe to myself and to my son Charles. You must live and learn, young man; and when you can go over the road for nothing, don't waste twelve dollars."