by W. W. Jacobs
think I can," ses the gal, leaning back very gentle.
"Think agin," ses Ginger, squeezing 'er waist a little.
Miss Gill shook her 'ead, and then turned and looked at 'im. Her facewas so close to his, that, thinking that she 'ad put it there a-purpose,he kissed it, and the next moment 'e got a clout that made his 'eadring.
"'Ow dare you!" she ses, jumping up with a scream. "'Ow dare you! 'Owdare----"
"Wot's the matter?" ses her mother, coming downstairs like a runawaybarrel of treacle.
"He--he's insulted me," ses Miss Gill, taking out her little 'ankercherand sobbing. "He--k-kissed me!"
"WOT!" ses Mrs. Gill. "Well, I'd never 'ave believed it! Never! Why'e ought to be taken up. Wot d'ye mean by it?" she ses, turning onpore Ginger.
Ginger tried to explain, but it was all no good, and two minutesarterwards 'e was walking back to 'is lodgings like a dog with its tailbetween its legs. His 'ead was going round and round with astonishment,and 'e was in such a temper that 'e barged into a man twice as big ashimself and then offered to knock his 'ead off when 'e objected. Andwhen Sam and Peter asked him 'ow he 'ad got on, he was in such a stateof mind it was all 'e could do to answer 'em.
"And I'll trouble you for my 'arf dollar, Peter," he ses; "I've been outwith 'er all day, and I've won my bet."
Peter paid it over like a lamb, and then 'e sat thinking 'ard for a bit.
"Are you going out with 'er agin to-morrow, Ginger?" he ses, arter atime.
"I don't know," ses Ginger, careless-like, "I ain't made up my mindyet."
Peter looked at 'im and then 'e looked at Sam and winked. "Let me 'avea try," he ses; "I'll bet you another 'arf dollar that I take 'er out.P'r'aps I shall come 'ome in a better temper than wot you 'ave."
Old Sam said it wasn't right to play with a gal's 'art in that way, butarter a lot o' talking and telling Sam to shut up, Ginger took the bet.He was quite certain in his own mind that Miss Gill would slam the doorin Peter's face, and arter he 'ad started off next morning, Ginger andSam waited in to 'ave the pleasure of laughing in 'is face.
They got tired of waiting at last, and went out to enjoy themselves, andbreathe the fresh air in a pub down Poplar way. They got back at seveno'clock, and ten minutes arterwards Peter came in and sat down on hisbed and began to smoke without a word.
"Had a good time?" ses Ginger.
"Rippin'," ses Peter, holding 'is pipe tight between 'is teeth. "Youowe me 'arf a dollar, Ginger."
"Where'd you go?" ses Ginger, passing it over.
"Crystal Pallis," ses Peter.
"Are you going to take 'er out to-morrow?" ses Sam.
"I don't think so," ses Peter, taking 'is pipe out of 'is mouth andyawning. "She's rather too young for me; I like talking to gals wot's abit older. I won't stand in Ginger's way."
"I found 'er a bit young too," ses Ginger. "P'r'aps we'd better letSam's nevy 'ave 'er. Arter all it's a bit rough on 'im when you come tothink of it."
"You're quite right," ses Peter, jumping up. "It's Sam's business, andwhy we should go out of our way and inconvenience ourselves to do 'im agood turn, I don't know."
"It's Sam all over," ses Ginger; "he's always been like that, and themore you try to oblige 'im, the more you may."
They went on abusing Sam till he got sick and tired of it, and artertelling 'em wot he thought of 'em he slammed the door and went out andspent the evening by 'imself. He would 'ardly speak to them next day,but arter tea he brightened up a bit and they went off together as ifnothing 'ad happened, and the fust thing they saw as they turned out oftheir street was Sam's nevy coming along smiling till it made theirfaces ache to look at him.
"I was just coming to see you," he ses.
"We're just off on business," ses Ginger.
"I wasn't going to stop," ses the nevy; "my young lady just told me tostep along and show uncle wot she has bought me. A silver watch andchain and a gold ring. Look at it!"
He held his 'and under Ginger's nose, and Ginger stood there looking atit and opening and shutting 'is mouth like a dying fish. Then he tookPeter by the arm and led'im away while the nevy was opening 'is newwatch and showing Sam the works.
"'Ow much did she get out of you, Peter?" ses Ginger, looking at 'imvery hard. "I don't want any lies."
"Three quid," ses Peter, staring at 'im.
"Same 'ere," ses Ginger, grinding his teeth. "Did she give you a smackon the side of your face?"
"Wot--are--you--talking about, Ginger?" ses Peter.
"Did she smack your face too?" ses Ginger.
"Yes," ses Peter.
