noon
Aggie Wilson had taught him the use of his tongue , but Peter was not the man to use it in idle flirtation -- nor Aggie the girl to listen if he had done so . They had both seen too much of the stern side of life to condescend on trifling . Once , by a superhuman effort , and with an alarming flush of the countenance , Peter succeeded in stammering a declaration of his sentiments . Aggie , with flaming cheeks and downcast eyes , accepted the declaration , and the matter was settled ; that was all , for the subject had rushed upon both of them , as it were , unexpectedly , and as they were in the public street at the time and the hour was noon , further demonstration might have been awkward . Thereafter they were understood to be `` keeping company . '' But they were a grave couple . If an eavesdropper had ventured to listen , sober talk alone would have repaid the sneaking act , and , not unfrequently , reference would have been heard in tones of deepest pathos to dreadful scenes that had occurred on the shores of the Solway , or sorrowful comments on the awful fate of beloved friends who had been banished to `` the plantations . ''