m. Charlie thought it was the
friend's mother at fust, but he found out arterwards that she was a
widder-woman. She had 'ad two husbands, and both of 'em 'ad passed away
with a smile on their face. She seemed to take a fancy to Charlie the
moment she set eyes on 'im, and two or three times, they'd 'ave lost Ted
and Emma if it hadn't been for 'im.

[Illustration: "When they turned up they found Emma and 'er friend
waiting for them."]

They did lose 'em the next night, and Charlie Brice 'ad Mrs. Jennings all
alone to himself for over a couple of hours walking up and down the
Commercial Road talking about the weather; Charles saying 'ow wet and
cold it, was, and thinking p'r'aps they 'ad better go off 'ome afore she
got a chill.

He complained to Ted about it when 'e got 'ome, and Ted promised as it
shouldn't 'appen agin. He said that 'im and Emma 'ad been so busy
talking about getting married that he 'ad forgotten to keep an eye on
him.

"Married!" ses Charlie, very upset. "Married! And wot's to become o'
me?"

"Come and lodge with us," ses Ted.

They shook hands on it, but Ted said they 'ad both better keep it to
themselves a bit and wait until Emma 'ad got more used to Charlie afore
they told her. Ted let 'er get used to 'im for three days more afore he
broke the news to 'er, and the way she went on was alarming. She went on
for over ten minutes without taking breath, and she was just going to
start again when Mrs. Jennings stopped her.

"He's all right," she ses. "You leave 'im alone."

"I'm not touching 'im," ses Emma, very scornful.

"You leave 'im alone," ses Mrs. Jennings, taking hold of Charlie's arm.
"I don't say things about your young man."

Charlie Brice started as if he 'ad been shot, and twice he opened 'is
mouth to speak and show Mrs. Jennings 'er mistake; but, wot with trying
to find 'is voice in the fust place, and then finding words to use it
with in the second, he didn't say anything. He just walked along
gasping, with 'is mouth open like a fish.

"Don't take no notice of 'er, Charlie," ses Mrs. Jennings.

"I--I don't mind wot she ses," ses pore Charlie; "but you're making a
great----"

"She's quick-tempered, is Emma," ses Mrs. Jennings. "But, there, so am
I. Wot you might call a generous temper, but quick."

Charlie went cold all over.

"Treat me well and I treat other people well," ses Mrs. Jennings. "I
can't say fairer than that, can I?"

Charlie said "Nobody could,