later," ses Gerty. "Let's 'ave
something to eat; I'm so hungry."

George said something about buns and milk, but Gerty took 'im up sharp.
"Buns and milk?" she ses. "Why, uncle would never forgive us if we
spoilt his treat like that."

She walked into a refreshment place and they 'ad cold meat and bread and
pickles and beer and tarts and cheese, till even young Ted said he'd 'ad
enough, but still they couldn't see any signs of Uncle Joe. They went on
to the roundabouts to look for 'im, and then into all sorts o' shows at
sixpence a head, but still there was no signs of 'im, and George had 'ad
to start on a fresh bit o' paper to put down wot he'd spent.

"I suppose he must ha' been detained on important business," ses Gerty,
at last.

"Unless it's one of 'is jokes," ses Mrs. Mitchell, shaking her 'ead.
"You know wot your uncle is, Gerty."

"There now, I never thought o' that," ses Gerty, with a start; "p'r'aps
it is."

"Joke?" ses George, choking and staring from one to the other.

"I was wondering where he'd get the money from," ses Mrs. Mitchell to
Gerty. "I see it all now; I never see such a man for a bit o' fun in all
my born days. And the solemn way he went on last night, too. Why, he
must ha' been laughing in 'is sleeve all the time. It's as good as a
play."

"Look here!" ses George, 'ardly able to speak; "do you mean to tell me he
never meant to come?"

"I'm afraid not," ses Mrs. Mitchell, "knowing wot he is. But don't you
worry; I'll give him a bit o' my mind when I see 'im."

George Crofts felt as though he'd burst, and then 'e got his breath, and
the things 'e said about Uncle Joe was so awful that Mrs. Mitchell told
the boys to go away.

"How dare you talk of my uncle like that?" ses Gerty, firing up.

"You forget yourself, George," ses Mrs. Mitchell. "You'll like 'im when
you get to know 'im better."

"Don't you call me George," ses George Crofts, turning on 'er. "I've
been done, that's wot I've been. I 'ad fourteen pounds when I was paid
off, and it's melting like butter."

"Well, we've enjoyed ourselves," ses Gerty, "and that's what money was
given us for. I'm sure those two boys 'ave had a splendid time, thanks
to you. Don't go and spoil all by a little bit o' temper."

"Temper!" ses George, turning on her. "I've done with you, I wouldn't
marry you if you was the on'y gal in the world. I wouldn't marry you if
you paid me."

"Oh, indeed!" ses Gerty; "but if you think you