Tom was standing by her side, silent, and looking disappointed and rather unhappy. Jim said to her, in a low voice: 'I am sorry you're not comin'!' It was too much. She did want to go so badly, and she really couldn't resist any longer. If Tom would only ask her once more, and if she could only change her mind reasonably and decently, she would accept; but he stood silent, and she had to speak herself. It was very undignified. 'Yer know, Tom.' she said, 'I don't want ter spoil your day.' 'Well, I don't think I shall go alone; it 'ud be so precious slow.' Supposing he didn't ask her again! What should she do? She looked up at the clock on the front of the pub, and noticed that it only wanted five minutes to the half-hour. How terrible it would be if the brake started and he didn't ask her! Her heart beat violently against her chest, and in her agitation she fumbled with the corner of her apron. 'Well, what can I do, Tom dear?' 'Why, come with me, of course. Oh. Liza, do say yes.' She had got the offer again, and it only wanted a little seemly hesitation, and the thing was done. 'I should like ter, Tom,' she said. 'But d'you think it 'ud be arright?' 'Yus, of course it would. Come on, Liza!' In his eagerness he clasped her hand. 'Well,' she remarked, looking down, 'if it'd spoil your 'oliday--.' 'I won't go if you don't--swop me bob, I won't!' he answered. 'Well, if I come, it won't mean that I'm keepin' company with you.' 'Na, it won't mean anythin' you don't like.' 'Arright!' she said. 'You'll come?' he could hardly believe her. 'Yus!' she answered, smiling all over her face. 'You're a good sort, Liza! I say, 'Arry, Liza's comin'!' he shouted. 'Liza? 'Oorray!' shouted Harry. ''S'at right, Liza?' called Sally. And Liza feeling quite joyful and light of heart called back: 'Yus!' ''Oorray!' shouted Sally in answer. 'Thet's right, Liza,' called Jim; and he smiled pleasantly as she looked at him. 'There's just room for you two 'ere,' said Harry, pointing to the vacant places by his side. 'Arright!' said Tom. 'I must jest go an' get a 'at an' tell mother,' said Liza. 'There's just three minutes. Be quick!' answered Tom, and as she scampered off as hard as she could go, he shouted to the coachman: ''Old 'ard; there' another passenger comin' in a minute.' 'Arright, old cock,' answered the coachman: 'no 'urry!' Liza rushed into the room, and called to her mother, who was still asleep: 'Mother! mother! I'm going to Chingford!' Then tearing off her old dress she slipped into her gorgeous violet one; she kicked off her old ragged shoes and put on her new boots. She brushed her hair down and rapidly gave her fringe a twirl and a twist--it was luckily still moderately in curl from the previous Saturday--and putting on her black hat with all the feathers, she rushed along the street, and scrambling up the brake steps fell panting on Tom's lap.