# William the Intruder explained — Just William

> Chapter companion for Just William by Richmal Crompton.

## What happens

Robert's romantic picnic with Miss Cannon is disastrously interrupted when William, having secretly learned to ride Robert's new bicycle while blacked up as a 'Red Hand' Indian, crashes through their picnic and into the river. Despite Robert's ruined bicycle and ruined romantic plans, Miss Cannon dotes on William, calling him 'my poor darling Red Hand.' Later, at tea, William persistently intrudes on Robert's attempts to court Miss Cannon, showing off his garden and storytelling, leaving Robert a 'pale statue of despair.'

## Themes in this chapter

### Childhood vs. Adulthood

William's chaotic, imaginative play clashes with Robert's earnest, adult attempts at romance, highlighting the tension between childish spontaneity and adult seriousness.

### Romance and Infatuation

Robert's infatuation with Miss Cannon is comically thwarted by William's innocent intrusions, while Miss Cannon herself seems more charmed by William than by Robert.

### Resourcefulness and Ingenuity

William's determination to master the bicycle, despite repeated falls, and his creative storytelling and knot-tying demonstrate his resourceful, if mischievous, nature.

## Character check-ins

### William Brown

Blackens his face, wears feathers and a doormat as 'Red Hand,' learns to ride Robert's bicycle, crashes the picnic, and later intrudes on Robert's courtship of Miss Cannon.

### Robert Brown

Anxious and infatuated with Miss Cannon, his romantic picnic and bicycle are ruined by William; he is left frustrated and speechless.

### Miss Cannon

The object of Robert's affection; she dotes on William after the river incident, calling him 'my poor darling Red Hand,' and enjoys William's company at tea.

### Ethel Brown

Accompanies the picnic, chatters gaily, and remarks that they have 'given William the slip.'

### Mrs. Brown

Tends to William after his chill, scolds Robert for being upset, and later tries to manage William's behavior at tea.

## Key lines

> We've given William the slip. He's no idea where we've gone even!

Ethel boasts that they have successfully escaped William's company.

_Ethel's comment sets up the irony of William's unexpected arrival._

> William came to the end of the road. He did not turn aside... With set, colourless face he rode on to the river bank, and straight amongst them.

William, unable to stop the bicycle, rides directly into the picnic party.

_Climactic moment of the chapter where William's uncontrolled ride disrupts the picnic._

> She insisted on going home with him. All through the journey she sustained the character of his faithful squaw.

Miss Cannon plays along with William's 'Red Hand' persona, acting as his devoted companion.

_Highlights Miss Cannon's playful nature and her preference for William over Robert._

> Robert followed—a pale statue of despair.

Robert is left utterly defeated and hopeless after William steals Miss Cannon's attention.

_Emphasizes Robert's romantic failure and William's unintentional triumph._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/just_william_se/chapters/ii-william-the-intruder
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/just_william_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/just_william_se/chapters