A bus drove by under my window. It was crowded with people, inside and
out. On the outside every seat was filled, so much so that one woman
had to stand. I saw men look round at her, one apparently annoyed
because she accidentally jostled his newspaper, but none offered to
give her his seat.
They were most of them well-to-do men, such as go by the name of
gentlemen so far as their dress and appearance went but when it came
to the true test of a gentleman, that is, the feeling of chivalry and
politeness to women, the only gentleman among them was a working boy,
a lad of about fifteen, in dirty clothes, with dirty hands and face.
When he saw a woman standing he at once left his seat and beckoned her
into it. I hope that some of his so-called betters had the good sense
to feel ashamed at being taught manners by a working boy. Perhaps he
was a Scout. At any rate, he acted as a Scout would in the same
circumstances.
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