A lady in aid of a stranger

Coming off Grandfather Mountain at dusk while hiking a couple of years back, I decided to take a short cut down. But, alas, it was not a short cut. I ended up coming out in a luxurious community dotted with million-dollar homes.

I didn't want to hike back up the steep mountain in darkness. So I walked up to the nearest home and knocked. A beautifully elegant elderly lady (maybe in her early 70s?) came to the door and I told her of my plight. But I couldn't force myself to ask her for a ride, because I felt it not to be gentlemanly of me (and I could also sense her fear). Instead, I thanked her for her time and turned to trod back up the mountain, find the trail, and come out in darkness.

As I walked a few steps, I heard her call out from behind me, "Sir, I'll give you a ride if you'd like!"

I detected a slight tremble in her voice, but I felt that it was equally filled with a firm resolve, as well.

She gave me a ride (of some three miles) to where my car was parked.