Mable followed Anne all the way to the docks, a step behind when a group of men came into view looking very big and intimidating.  Anne spoke to one of the men - her father, Mable assumed, and then stepped back and away from her.

She felt to flounder for a moment.  Looking right at any of the men like she wanted to do felt rude, and she had been yelled at for less before.  So she averted her eyes from them and looked back to her friend.

"Anne," she whispered, "What should I - um, can I help you with that?"