''Ow's Hemmeline an' Mrs Fig—— yer ole woman? I've 'ad a letter from Hemmeline every day 'cept yesterday an' ter-day, an' I thought—— 'Ere!' Pincher suddenly blurted out, a vague hope dawning in his heart, 'why ain't you on leaf at Weymouth?'
'We come round 'ere ter give yer a chuck up, Pincher.'
'We! 'Oo d'yer mean? 'Er an' 'er mother?'
'Yus. They're outside. I come in fu'st to prepare yer like.'
'W'y couldn't yer 'ave said so afore?' Pincher demanded wrathfully. 'Bring 'er in!'
'Orl right, ole son; don't go gittin' rattled abart it. Me an' my missis'll go an' see Dogo Pearson, wot's wounded an' in another ward. I'll tell Hemmeline as 'ow you'd like ter see 'er, an' me an' the missis'll be back afore long.' Joshua winked twice and went away.
Two minutes later Emmeline was sitting by Pincher's bed. Her eyes were full of tears, tears of happiness, and to Pincher she was the most adorable thing in the world.
'Oh Hemmeline!' he sighed huskily, his throat working and his fingers clutching her hand. 'Oh Hemmeline!'
'Well, Bill, what's the matter?' she asked dreamily, turning her head and smiling at him through her long lashes.
''Ow I love you!'