, go to your blessed music-'all," ses the gal to Ted; "I don't want
you."

She turned round and a'most ran up the road, with Ted follering 'er and
begging of 'er not to be so hasty, and afore they parted she told 'im
that 'er name was. Emma White, and promised to meet 'im there the next
night at seven.

O' course Mr. Charlie Brice turned up alongside o' Ted the next night,
and at fust Emma said she was going straight off 'ome agin. She did go
part o' the way, and then, when she found that Ted wouldn't send his mate
off, she came back and, woman-like, said as 'ow she wasn't going to go
'ome just to please Charlie Brice. She wouldn't speak a word to 'im, and
when they all went to the music-'all together she sat with her face
turned away from 'im and her elbow sticking in 'is chest. Doing that and
watching the performance at the same time gave 'er a stiff neck, and she
got in such a temper over it she wouldn't hardly speak to Ted, and when
Charlie--meaning well--told 'er to rub it with a bit o' mutton-fat she
nearly went off her 'ead.

"Who asked you to come with us?" she ses, as soon as she could speak.
"'Ow dare you force yourself where you ain't wanted?"

"Ted wants me," ses Charlie.

"We've been together for years," ses Ted. "You'll like Charlie when you
get used to 'im--everybody does."

"Not me!" ses Emma, with a shiver. "It gives me the fair creeps to look
at him. You'll 'ave to choose between us. If he comes, I sha'n't.
Which is it to be?"

Neither of 'em answered 'er, but the next night they both turned up as
usual, and Emma White stood there looking at 'em and nearly crying with
temper.

"'Ow would you like it if I brought another young lady with me?" she ses
to Ted.

"It wouldn't make no difference to me," ses Ted. "Any friend o' yours is
welcome."

Emma stood looking at 'em, and then she patted 'er eyes with a pocket-
'ankercher and began to look more cheerful.

"You ain't the only one that has got a dear friend," she says, looking.
at 'im and wiping 'er lips with the 'ankercher. "I've got one, and if
Charlie Brice don't promise to stay at 'ome to-morrow night I'll bring
her with me."

"Bring 'er, and welcome," ses Ted.

"I sha'n't stay at 'ome for fifty dear friends," ses Charlie.

"Have it your own way," ses Emma. "If you come, Sophy Jennings comes,
that's all."

She was as good as 'er word, too, and next night when they turned up they
found Emma and 'er friend waiting for the