She was being taunted by several young rowdies in a situation becoming uncomfortable when she heard an adult voice. "I wondered where you had wandered off to.  Come along. They are expecting us. We will be late."  

She was being rescued.  Taking his offered arm, she walked away with him.  He noticed that she looked over her shoulder to see if the rowdies were following and said, "Perhaps I should see you home."  

He was a man far past her years.  She marvelled at his calm self-assurance as he plucked her from the situation. She could not imagine the young men she knew pulling off a comparable rescue.  

Arriving at her home, the man said, "Men aren't as respectful of women as they were in pre-feminist days.  Be thoughtful about where you go."  She realized he was about to exit her life.  Not wanting that, she said, "Come meet my father and grandfather.  They will want to thank you."

She held on to the relationship, asking him to chaperone her walks in the park and visits to sidewalk bistros. She found his self-assuredness relaxing.