married to 'er? When I was at sea I was at sea, and when I was ashore I
was with you."

"Did you use to go down to the ship to see 'im off?" ses the woman.

"No," ses my wife. "I'd something better to do."

"Neither did I," ses the woman. "P'raps that's where we both made a
mistake."

"You get out of my 'ouse!" ses my missus, very sudden. "Go on, afore I
put you out."

"Not without my Bill," ses the woman. "If you lay a finger on me I'll
scream the house down."

"You brought her 'ere," ses my wife, turning to me, "now you can take 'er
away?"

"I didn't bring 'er," I ses. "She follered me."

"Well, she can foller you agin," she ses. "Go on!" she ses, trembling
all over. "Git out afore I start on you."

I was in such a temper that I daren't trust myself to stop. I just gave
'er one look, and then I drew myself up and went out. 'Alf the fools in
our street was standing in front of the 'ouse, 'umming like bees, but I
took no notice. I held my 'ead up and walked through them with that
woman trailing arter me.