a tall, handsome man in a blue pin-striped suit stepped forward. his suit reminded her of the one that her boss, mr. burton, always wore. what was a businessman doing so far out here in the country?

　　the man smiled. "yes, mrs. conroy. i've come to meet you. it's time to go now."

　　"go where? what are you talking about? and how do you know my name?" the man in the blue suit smiled.

　　"i know it must be very confusing, mrs. conroy. most people seem to feel that way at first. but as we go along, everything will become quite clear." he took her by the arm. "it's all right," he said kindly. "just come with me."

　　"no! i'm not going anywhere with you. why should i? i don't even know who you are," mrs. conroy said. she pulled away from the man and stepped back.

　　the man smiled gently. "i'm only an assistant, mrs. conroy," he said.

　　"well, mr. assistant, there must be some mistake. i just fell asleep and stayed on the bus too long. then the driver made me get off. he wouldn't take me back with him! he talked some nonsense about rules. i'm going to call the company and report him!"

　　"he was just doing his job, mrs. conroy," the man said patiently.

　　"but he left me out here alone," mrs. conroy said. "now it's getting late. i have to get home and fix dinner. what kind of bus driver refuses to take passengers?"

　　the man in the blue suit stepped toward mrs. conroy and took her arm again. this time she didn't resist. he patted her hand and smiled down at her. "you'll have to forgive the driver for being rude, mrs. conroy. he's new at the job. but he was only following orders. you see, mrs. conroy, this is the end of the line. you don't have to worry about getting home and fixing dinner.our passengers only go one way."