He was still the bashful country boy, though now he would be awakened by love.
The girl drew him from the gate to her waiting automobile.

Here she overcame a last reluctance and induced him to enter.

She followed and drove rapidly off.
It was only now that Baird let him into the very heart of the drama.
"You see," he told Merton, "you've watched these city folks; you've wanted city life and fine clothes for yourself; so, in a moment of weakness, you've gone up to town with this girl to have a look at the place, and it sort of took hold of you.

In fact, you hit up quite a pace for awhile; but at last you go stale on it--" "The blight of Broadway," suggested Merton, wondering if there could be a cabaret scene.
"Exactly," said Baird.

"And you get to thinking of the poor old mother and little sister back here at home, working away to pay off the mortgage, and you decide to come back.