ut
there's no need for you to overdo it, Charlie. If her young man 'appened
to get to 'ear of it it might cause trouble."

"I ain't afraid of 'im," ses Charlie, "not if your description of 'im is
right."

"Emma knows 'im," ses Ted, "and I know she don't think much of 'im. She
says he ain't as big as I am."

Charlie smiled to himself and laid awake for a little while thinking of
pet names to surprise Mrs. Jennings with. He called 'er a fresh one
every night for a week, and every night he took 'er a little bunch o'
flowers with 'is love. When she flung 'em on the pavement he pretended
to think she 'ad dropped 'em; but, do wot he would, 'e couldn't frighten
'er into staying away, and 'is share of music-'alls and bus rides and
things like that was more than 'e cared to think of. All the time Ted
was as happy as a sand-boy, and one evening when Emma asked 'im to go
'ome to supper 'e was so pleased 'e could 'ardly speak.

"Father thought he'd like to see you," ses Emma. "I shall be proud to
shake 'im by the 'and," ses Ted, going red with joy.

"And you're to come, too, Sophy," ses Emma, turning to Mrs. Jennings.

Charlie coughed, feeling a bit orkard-like, and Emma stood there as if
waiting for 'im to go.

"Well, so long," ses Charlie at last. "Take care o' my little prize
packet."

"You can come, too, if you like," ses Emma. "Father said I was to bring
you. Don't 'ave none of your nonsense there, that's all."

Charlie thanked 'er, and they was all walking along, him and Mrs.
Jennings behind, when Emma looked over 'er shoulder.

"Sophy's young man is coming," she ses.

"Ho!" ses Charlie. He walked along doing a bit o' thinking, and by and
by 'e gives a little laugh, and he ses, "I--I don't think p'r'aps I'll
come arter all."

"Afraid?" ses Emma, with a nasty laugh.

"No," ses Charlie.

"Well, it looks like it," ses Emma.

"He's brave enough where wimmen are concerned," ses Mrs. Jennings.

"I was thinking of you," ses Charlie.

"You needn't trouble about me," ses Mrs. Jennings. "I can look after
myself, thank you."

Charlie looked round, but there was no help for it. He got as far away
from Mrs. Jennings as possible, and when they got to Emma's house he went
in last.

Emma's father and mother was there and two or three of 'er brothers and
sisters, but the fust thing that Charlie noticed was a great lump of a
man standing by the mantelpiece staring at 'im.

"Come in, and make yourselves at