listening to wot he 'ad got to say, Charlie said as 'ow he'd try and keep
his love under control a bit more.

"She won't stand much more of it," he ses to Ted, arter they 'ad got 'ome
that night. "I shouldn't be surprised if she don't turn up to-morrow."

Ted shook his 'ead. "She'll turn up to oblige Emma," he ses; "but
there's no need for you to overdo it, Charlie. If her young man 'appened
to get to 'ear of it it might cause trouble."

"I ain't afraid of 'im," ses Charlie, "not if your description of 'im is
right."

"Emma knows 'im," ses Ted, "and I know she don't think much of 'im. She
says he ain't as big as I am."

Charlie smiled to himself and laid awake for a little while thinking of
pet names to surprise Mrs. Jennings with. He called 'er a fresh one
every night for a week, and every night he took 'er a little bunch o'
flowers with 'is love. When she flung 'em on the pavement he pretended
to think she 'ad dropped 'em; but, do wot he would, 'e couldn't frighten
'er into staying away, and 'is share of music-'alls and bus rides and
things like that was more than 'e cared to think of. All the time Ted
was as happy as a sand-boy, and one evening when Emma asked 'im to go
'ome to supper 'e was so pleased 'e could 'ardly speak.

"Father thought he'd like to see you," ses Emma. "I shall be proud to
shake 'im by the 'and," ses Ted, going red with joy.

"And you're to come, too, Sophy," ses Emma, turning to Mrs. Jennings.