straight off to sleep. It was two o'clock when I woke, and, arter a
couple o' pork-pies and a pint or two, I sat on a seat in the Park
smoking, while she kep' dabbing 'er eyes agin and asking me to come 'ome.

At five o'clock I got up to go back to the wharf, and, taking no notice
of 'er, I walked into the street and jumped on a 'bus that was passing.
She jumped too, and, arter the conductor had 'elped 'er up off of 'er
knees and taken her arms away from his waist, I'm blest if he didn't turn
on me and ask me why I 'adn't left her at 'ome.

We got to the wharf just afore six. The John Henry 'ad gorn, but the
skipper 'ad done all the 'arm he could afore he sailed, and, if I 'adn't
kept my temper, I should ha' murdered arf a dozen of 'em.

The woman wanted to come on to the wharf, but I 'ad a word or two with
one o' the fore-men, who owed me arf-a-dollar, and he made that all
right.

"We all 'ave our faults, Bill," he ses as 'e went out, "and I suppose she
was better looking once upon a time?"

I didn't answer 'im. I shut the wicket arter 'im, quick, and turned the
key, and then I went on with my work. For a long time everything was as
quiet as the grave, and then there came just one little pull at the bell.
Five minutes arterwards there was another.

I thought it was that woman, but I 'ad to make sure. When it came the
third time I crept up to the gate.

"Halloa!" I ses. "Who is it?"