George, who was going to ask a question, stopped ’imself, and then he kept striking matches and trying to read all about cab fares on a bill in front of ’im.

“’Ow are we to know ’ow many miles it is?” he ses, at last.

“I don’t know,” ses Gerty; “leave it to the cabman.  It’s his bisness, ain’t it?  And if ’e don’t know he must suffer for it.”

There was hardly a soul in Gerty’s road when they got there, but afore George ’ad settled with the cabman there was a policeman moving the crowd on and arf the winders in the road up.  By the time George had paid ’im and the cabman ’ad told him wot ’e looked like, Gerty and Ted ’ad disappeared indoors, all the lights was out, and, in a state o’ mind that won’t bear thinking of, George walked ’ome to his lodging.

[Illustration:  “Afore George had settled with the cabman, there was a policeman moving the crowd on.”]

Bob was asleep when he got there, but ’e woke ’im up and told ’im about it, and then arter a time he said that he thought Bob ought to pay arf because he ’ad saved ’is life.

“Cert’nly not,” ses Bob.  “We’re quits now; that was the arrangement.  I only wish it was me spending the money on her; I shouldn’t grumble.”

George didn’t get a wink o’ sleep all night for thinking of the money he ’ad spent, and next day when he went round he ’ad almost made up ’is mind to tell Bob that if ’e liked to pay up the money he could ’ave Gerty back; but she looked so pretty, and praised ’im up so much for ’is generosity, that he began to think better of it.  One thing ’e was determined on, and that was never to spend money like that agin for fifty Gertys.

There was a very sensible man there that evening that George liked very much.  His name was Uncle Joe, and when Gerty was praising George to ’is face for the money he ‘ad been spending, Uncle Joe, instead o’ looking pleased, shook his ’ead over it.

“Young people will be young people, I know,” he ses, “but still I don’t approve of extravagance.  Bob Evans would never ’ave spent all that money over you.”

“Bob Evans ain’t everybody,” ses Mrs. Mitchell, standing up for Gerty.

“He was steady, anyway,” ses Uncle Joe.  “Besides, Gerty ought not to ha’ let Mr. Crofts spend his money like that.  She could ha’ prevented it if she’d ha’ put ’er foot down and insisted on it.”

He was so solemn about it that everybody began to feel a bit upset, and Gerty borrowed Ted’s pocket-’andkerchief, and then wiped ’er eyes on the cuff of her dress instead.

“Well, well,” ses Uncle Joe; “I didn’t mean to be ’ard, but don’t do it no more.  You are young people, and can’t afford it.”

“We must ’ave a little pleasure sometimes,” ses Gerty.

“Yes, I know,” ses Uncle Joe; “but there’s moderation in everything.  Look ’ere, it’s time somebody paid for Mr. Crofts.  To-morrow’s Saturday, and, if you like, I’ll take you all to the Crystal Palace.”