He turned suddenly towards me.
— And who called you?
— The lady politely asked you to make room for her.
— If it matters so much to you, give him your seat!
I got up immediately.
— Here, madam, you can sit here.
But the old lady didn’t move. She looked at me and smiled sadly.
— Thank you, darling. But it’s not right that you get up because the gentleman doesn’t want to behave politely.
The man burst out laughing.
— Listen to this! Now they’re lecturing me on manners!
The metro stopped at Châtelet station. One of the women sitting next to him got off, and in her place sat a robust man, dressed in a work jacket.
I will never forget what I saw at that moment.
The man instantly pulled his knees back. He sat up straight in his seat and made room without the new passenger saying a word.
