"Come and lodge with us," ses Ted.

They shook hands on it, but Ted said they 'ad both better keep it to
themselves a bit and wait until Emma 'ad got more used to Charlie afore
they told her. Ted let 'er get used to 'im for three days more afore he
broke the news to 'er, and the way she went on was alarming. She went on
for over ten minutes without taking breath, and she was just going to
start again when Mrs. Jennings stopped her.

"He's all right," she ses. "You leave 'im alone."

"I'm not touching 'im," ses Emma, very scornful.

"You leave 'im alone," ses Mrs. Jennings, taking hold of Charlie's arm.
"I don't say things about your young man."

Charlie Brice started as if he 'ad been shot, and twice he opened 'is
mouth to speak and show Mrs. Jennings 'er mistake; but, wot with trying
to find 'is voice in the fust place, and then finding words to use it
with in the second, he didn't say anything. He just walked along
gasping, with 'is mouth open like a fish.

"Don't take no notice of 'er, Charlie," ses Mrs. Jennings.

"I--I don't mind wot she ses," ses pore Charlie; "but you're making a
great----"

"She's quick-tempered, is Emma," ses Mrs. Jennings. "But, there, so am
I. Wot you might call a generous temper, but quick."