“'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 them. 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.
