"'Just a little turn round to see the shops,' I ses; 'and if there's
anything particler you'd like and it don't cost too much, you shall 'ave
it.'

"I thought at fust, from the way she took it, she wasn't used to you
giving 'er things.

"'Ow dare you!' she ses. 'I'll 'ave you locked up. 'Ow dare you insult
a respectable married woman! You wait till my 'usband comes 'ome.'

"'But I am your 'usband,' I ses. 'Don't you know me, my pretty? Don't
you know your pet sailor-boy?'

"She gave a screech like a steam-injin, and then she went next door and
began knocking away like mad. Then I see that I 'ad gorn to number
twelve instead of number fourteen. Your wife, your real wife, came out
of number fourteen--and she was worse than the other. But they both
thought it was you--there's no doubt of that. They chased me all the
way up the road, and if it 'adn't ha' been for this cab that was just
passing I don't know wot would 'ave 'appened to me."

He shook his 'ead and smiled agin, and, arter opening the wicket a
trifle and telling the cabman he shouldn't be long, he turned to me and
asked me for the sixpence, to wear on his watch-chain.

"Sixpence!" I ses. "SIXPENCE!" Wot do you think is going to 'appen to
me when I go 'ome?"

"Oh, I 'adn't thought o' that," he ses. "Yes, o' course."