About half an hour later, Paul was walking down Main Street. He was all spruced up—wearing his new suit, a bright tie, his shoes shined to a gloss and his hair combed neatly. At Rogers Street he turned to the right. He walked along snappily and whistled a cheerful tune.
At the middle of the block, he met Paul face to face. Surprise showed on both their faces and their eyes almost popped at seeing each other. Quickly, each boy put his right hand behind his back. Finally, after a very embarrassing silence, one of the boys asked, “What are you doing here, Jack? I thought you had gone home.”
“What about you, Paul? I thought you were tired and were going to bed early?”
Silence. The boys squirmed and wriggled. One of them turned and looked at the house they were in front of. The other boy did likewise. Finally Jack asked, “What are you hiding there behind your back?”
Paul fidgeted. “Nothing. What about you?”
“Nothing.”
Again silence and the boys looked around with embarrassment. “You still didn’t tell me what you’re doing here,” remarked Jack.
“Just taking a walk,” replied Paul. “And you?”
“Also taking a walk.” He looked up at the sky and at the horizon. “Beautiful evening, isn’t it?”