About noon
She was willing enough to listen to his soft speeches , for in her eyes he was a hero of romance , and the warning words and admonitions of Aunt Jennie only served to exalt him higher in her estimation . Dexie treated him with such frigid politeness that he did not care to meet her cold stare more often than necessary ; so , when he sought Gussie 's society , Mr. Sherwood or Aunt Jennie were the only ones likely to interrupt the _ tete-a-tete _ . But things were not always to run so smoothly for Mr. Plaisted , and this first day of April brought such discomfiture that his fastidious feelings were very much upset . About noon , when the streets were thronged with pedestrians returning from work or school to the mid-day meal , Dexie noticed Mr. Plaisted sauntering toward the house , twirling his light cane and looking as if he thought himself the pink of perfection . But what was it that was fluttering in the breeze behind him ? Some urchin -- exasperated , no doubt , by Plaisted 's immaculate appearance -- had fastened to his coat-tails a bunch of dirty rags , and as Dexie watched him from the window , she was convulsed with laughter as she saw him lift his hat and bow profoundly to the two Desbrasy girls on the opposite sidewalk , who immediately pulled out their handkerchiefs and applied them to their faces ; but he walked on , unconscious of the diversion he was causing to the passers-by . As he came into the house , Dexie struck an attitude , and exclaimed , in a tragic voice , `` I could a tale unfold ! ''