Then, after pipes, they both went out for a walk, naturally not in the same direction.  The magnificence of the weather filled them both with the joy of life.  As for John, he went out for a walk simply because he could not contain himself within the house.  He could not wait immovable till four-thirty, the hour at which he meant to call on Annie for tea and the betrothal kiss.  Therefore he ascended to Hillport and wandered as far as Oldcastle, all in a silk hat and a frock-coat.

It was precisely half-past four as he turned, unassumingly, from Brick Street into Brick Passage, and so approached the side door of Annie Emery’s.  And his astonishment and anger were immense when he saw Robert, likewise in silk hat and frock-coat, penetrating into Brick Passage from the other end.

They met, and their inflamed spirits collided.

‘What’s the meaning of this?’ John demanded, furious; and, simultaneously, Robert demanded:  ’What in Hades are you doing here?’

Only Sunday and the fine clothes and the proximity to Annie prevented actual warfare.

‘I’m calling on Annie,’ said John.

‘So am I,’ said Robert.

‘Well, you’re too late,’ said John.

‘Oh, I’m too late, am I?’ said Robert, with a disdainful laugh.  Thanks!’

‘I tell you you’re too late,’ said John.  ’You may as well know at once that I’ve proposed to Annie and she’s accepted me.’

‘I like that!  I like that!’ said Robert.

‘Don’t shout!’ said John.

‘I’m not shouting,’ said Robert.  ’But you may as well know that you’re mistaken, my boy.  It’s me that’s proposed to Annie and been accepted.  You must be off your chump.’

‘When did you propose to her?’ said John.

‘On Friday, if you must know,’ said Robert.

‘And she accepted you at once?’ said John.

’No.  She said that if she was wearing white roses in her hat this morning at chapel, that would mean she accepted,’ said Robert.

‘Liar!’ said John.

‘I suppose you’ll admit she was wearing white roses in her hat?’ said Robert, controlling himself.

‘Liar!’ said John, and continued breathless:  ’That was what she said to me.  She must have told you that white roses meant a refusal.’

‘Oh no, she didn’t!’ said Robert, quailing secretly, but keeping up a formidable show of courage.  ‘You’re an old fool!’ he added vindictively.

They were both breathing hard, and staring hard at each other.

‘Come away,’ said John.  ’Come away!  We can’t talk here.  She may look out of the window.’

So they went away.  They walked very quickly home, and, once in the parlour, they began to have it out.  And, before they had done, the reading of cricket news on Sunday was as nothing compared to the desecrating iniquity which they committed.  The scene was not such as can be decently recounted.  But about six o’clock Maggie entered, and, at considerable personal risk, brought them back to a sense of what was due to their name, the town, and the day.  She then stated that she would not remain in such a house, and she departed.