Self-containment as kindness

This morning, I went to the Y, determined to try some different exercises.  I could not find the running track and then I spotted a woman I knew, just standing in the gym.  I asked her where the track entrance was and then I noticed that she had been deep in thought, because my voice startled her.  She smiled at me warmly, told me where to look, and then turned back to her inner thoughts.  She could have been irritated at my interuption but chose to be pleasant instead.