then 'e walked along with her hanging on
to 'is arm, arf wondering whether it would be wrong to shove 'er under a
bus that was passing, and arf wondering whether 'e could do it if it
wasn't.

"As for Emma saying she won't 'ave you for a lodger," ses Mrs. Jennings,
"let 'er wait till she's asked. She'll wait a long time if I 'ave my
say."

Charlie didn't answer her. He walked along with 'is mouth shut, his idea
being that the least said the soonest mended. Even Emma asked 'im at
last whether he 'ad lost 'is tongue, and said it was curious 'ow
different love took different people.

He talked fast enough going 'ome with Ted though, and pretty near lost
'is temper with 'im when Ted asked 'im why he didn't tell Mrs. Jennings
straight that she 'ad made a mistake.

"She knows well enough," he says, grinding 'is teeth; "she was just
trying it on. That's 'ow it is widders get married agin. You'll 'ave to
choose between going out with me or Emma, Ted. I can't face Mrs.
Jennings again. I didn't think anybody could 'ave parted us like that."

Ted said it was all nonsense, but it was no good, and the next night he
went off alone and came back very cross, saying that Mrs. Jennings 'ad
been with 'em all the time, and when 'e spoke to Emma about it she said
it was just tit for tat, and reminded 'im 'ow she had 'ad to put up with
Charlie. For four nights running 'e went out for walks, with Emma
holding one of 'is arms and Mrs. Jennings the other.

"It's miserable for you all alone 'ere by yourself; Charlie," he ses.
"Why not come? She can't marry you against your will. Besides, I miss
you."

Charlie shook 'ands with 'im, but 'e said 'e wouldn't walk out with Mrs.
Jennings for a fortune. And all that Ted could say made no difference.
He stayed indoors of an evening reading the paper, or going for little
walks by 'imseif, until at last Ted came 'ome one evening, smiling all
over his face, and told 'im they had both been making fools of themselves
for nothing.

"Mrs. Jennings is going to be married," he ses, clapping Charlie on the
back.

"_Wot?_" ses Charlie.

Ted nodded. "Her and Emma 'ad words to-night," he ses, laughing, "and it
all come out. She's been keeping company for some time. He's away at
present, and they're going to be married as soon as 'e comes back."

"Well," ses Charlie, "why did she----"

"To oblige Emma," ses Ted, "to frighten you into staying at 'ome. I'd
'ad my suspicions for some time,