"Anna, why don't you stay a bit longer?" Professor Charlotte suggested with a warm smile.
"I would stay but it's getting late and I need to get back home. My mom is waiting for me for dinner." Merry declined politely.
"Oh yeah, I didn't realize it was already this late. It's nearly 10 o'clock already. How are you getting home?" Professor Charlotte said as she looked at her watch.
"I am taking the bus," Merry replied.
"But the bus stop is quite far from here," Professor Charlotte said as she got up from her chair and walked straight to Merry. She continued, "I will ask someone to give you a ride home. Come.. come with me."
At first, Merry thought of declining the offer, but she remembered what Mrs. Miller's face would be like if she arrived home later than it was already. Reluctantly, Merry agreed to accept Professor Charlotte's offer for a ride home.
