They didn’t seem to be able to make enough of ’im, and next day when he went round Gerty was so upset at the sight of ’is bruises that he thought she was going to cry.  When he had ’ad his tea she gave ’im a cigar she had bought for ’im herself, and when he ’ad finished smoking it she smiled at him, and said that she was going to take ’im out for a pleasant evening to try and make up to ’im for wot he ’ad suffered for ’er.

“We’re all going to stand treat to each other,” she ses.  “Bob always would insist on paying for everything, but I like to feel a bit independent.  Give and take—­that’s the way I like to do things.”

“There’s nothing like being independent,” ses George.  “Bob ought to ha’ known that.”

“I’m sure it’s the best plan,” ses Gerty.  “Now, get your ’at on.  We’re going to a theayter, and Ted shall pay the ’bus fares.”

George wanted to ask about the theayter, but ’e didn’t like to, and arter Gerty was dressed they went out and Ted paid the ’bus fares like a man.

“Here you are,” ses Gerty, as the ’bus stopped outside the theayter.  “Hurry up and get the tickets, George; ask for three upper circles.”

She bustled George up to the pay place, and as soon as she ’ad picked out the seats she grabbed ’old of the tickets and told George to make haste.

“Twelve shillings it is,” ses the man, as George put down arf a crown.

“Twelve?” ses George, beginning to stammer.  “Twelve?  Twelve?  Twel—?”

“Twelve shillings,” ses the man; “three upper circles you’ve ’ad.”

George was going to fetch Gerty back and ’ave cheaper seats, but she ’ad gone inside with young Ted, and at last, arter making an awful fuss, he paid the rest o’ the money and rushed in arter her, arf crazy at the idea o’ spending so much money.

“Make ’aste,” ses Gerty, afore he could say anything; “the band ’as just begun.”

She started running upstairs, and she was so excited that, when they got their seats and George started complaining about the price, she didn’t pay any attention to wot he was saying, but kept pointing out ladies’ dresses to ’im in w’ispers and wondering wot they ’ad paid for them.  George gave it up at last, and then he sat wondering whether he ’ad done right arter all in taking Bob’s gal away from him.

Gerty enjoyed it very much, but when the curtain came down after the first act she leaned back in her chair and looked up at George and said she felt faint and thought she’d like to ’ave an ice-cream.  “And you ’ave one too, dear,” she ses, when young Ted ’ad got up and beckoned to the gal, “and Ted ’ud like one too, I’m sure.”

She put her ’ead on George’s shoulder and looked up at ’im.  Then she put her ’and on his and stroked it, and George, reckoning that arter all ice-creams were on’y a ha’penny or at the most a penny each, altered ’is mind about not spending any more money and ordered three.