should I get another rat?

Question
I have two boy rats that are housed together and a single female rat. We have raised the boys since they were babies, but the female was adopted when she was about a year old. She had been neglected and it took a lot of time to get her to come out of her shell. She it about a year and a half now. Anyway, I see how well the boys interact and how they cuddle and groom each other, and I feel bad for Sugarplum because she is all alone. We give her lots of attention, but she is more sensitive than the boys and is more easily upset. I wondered if getting another female rat to be company would be a good idea or if I'm just being selfish. (I would adopt every rat in the world if I could.) So I guess the real question is would it be more upsetting or comforting to Sugarplum in the long run if she had a friend. What are the chances that they wouldn't get along? Could I get a baby? We let her out with the boys sometimes, the boys are curious, and she is usually fine with them for a while, but if one of them does something that scares her, she wants to fight. Would she do this with a new rat? Or is it because they are boys? She never bites humans and loves to groom our hair. I don't know. Sorry this question is so long. I would really appreciate some advice. Thanks.

Answer
Yes get a girl.  I would get two rats, young rats, and here is why. The two young rats will want to wrestle, chase and play fight and since Sweet Sugarplum may not appreciate childish games, the two young rats will have each other to interact with but have Sugarplum there to be the alpha rat mom and role model.  Introduce them carefully after quarantine is up and let their cages sit side by side for a few days till they know each other exists.  Let them in each others cages too so they realize that another rat is around.  Finally let them meet face to face while holding one. Expect some wrestling and even some play fighting will go on.

I would get the new girls around 3 to 4 months old, maybe a bit older stronger.

hope this helps!