Now at length must we think of tearing ourselves away from these delights.  Already the more prudent people are hurrying to the railway, knowing by dire experience what it means to linger until the last cargoes.  Pennyloaf has hard work to get her husband as far as the station; Bob is not quite steady upon his feet, and the hustling of the crowd perpetually excites him to bellicose challenges.  They reach the platform somehow; they stand wedged amid a throng which roars persistently as a substitute for the activity of limb Row become impossible.  A train is drawing up slowly; the danger is lest people in the front row should be pushed over the edge of the platform, but porters exert themselves with success.  A rush, a tumble, curses, blows, laughter, screams of pain—­and we are in a carriage.  Pennyloaf has to be dragged up from under the seat, and all her indignation cannot free her from the jovial embrace of a man who insists that there is plenty of room on his knee.  Off we go!  It is a long third-class coach, and already five or six musical instruments have struck up.  We smoke and sing at the same time; we quarrel and make love—­the latter in somewhat primitive fashion; we roll about with the rolling of the train; we nod into hoggish sleep.

The platform at Holborn Viaduct; and there, to Pennyloaf’s terror, it is seen that Clem Peckover and her satellites have come by the same train.  She does her best to get Bob quickly away, but Clem keeps close in their neighbourhood.  Just as they issue from the station Pennyloaf feels herself bespattered from head to foot with some kind of fluid; turning, she is aware that all her enemies have squirts in their hands, and are preparing for a second discharge of filthy water.  Anguish for the ruin of her dress overcomes all other fear; she calls upon Bob to defend her.

But an immediate conflict was not Jack Bartley’s intention.  He and those with him made off at a run, Bob pursuing as closely as his unsteadiness would permit.  In this way they all traversed the short distance to Clerkenwell Green, either party echoing the other’s objurgations along the thinly-peopled streets.  At length arrived the suitable moment.  Near St. James’s Church Jack Bartley made a stand, and defied his enemy to come on.  Bob responded with furious eagerness; amid a press of delighted spectators, swelled by people just turned out of the public-houses, the two lads fought like wild animals.  Nor were they the only combatants.  Exasperated by the certainty that her hat and dolman were ruined, Pennyloaf flew with erected nails at Clem Peckover.  It was just what the latter desired.  In an instant she had rent half Pennyloaf’s garments off her back, and was tearing her face till the blood streamed.  Inconsolable was the grief of the crowd when a couple of stalwart policemen came hustling forward, thrusting to left and right, irresistibly clearing the corner.  There was no question of making arrests; it was the night of Bank-holiday, and the capacity of police-cells is limited.  Enough that the fight perforce came to an end.  Amid frenzied blasphemy Bob and Jack went their several ways; so did Clem and Pennyloaf.