“Three pounds ain't much,” ses pore Ginger, wot 'ad just been paid off arter a long v'y'ge. “I can let you 'ave it and welcome.”
Miss Gill started away from 'im as though she 'ad been stung, and it took 'im all his time to talk 'er round agin. When he 'ad she begged 'is pardon and said he was the most generous man she 'ad ever met, but it couldn't be.
“I don't know when I could pay it back,” she ses, “but I thank you all the same for offering it.”
“Pay it back when you like,” ses Ginger, “and if you never pay it back, it don't matter.”
He offered 'er the money four or five times, but she wouldn't take it, but at last just as they got near her 'ouse he forced it in her 'and, and put his own 'ands in his pockets when she tried to make 'im take it back.
“You are good to me,” she ses arter they 'ad gone inside and 'er mother 'ad gone upstairs arter giving Ginger a bottle o' beer to amuse 'imself with; “I shall never forget you. Never.”
“I 'ope not,” ses Ginger, starting. “Are you coming out agin to-morrow?”
“I'm afraid I can't,” ses Miss Gill, shaking her 'ead and looking sorrowful.
“Not with me?” ses Ginger, sitting down beside her on the sofa and putting 'is arm so that she could lean against it if she wanted to.
“I don't think I can,” ses the gal, leaning back very gentle.