Computers Won’t talk to each other.

I have 2 Computers, both are running Windows’98se.Both have Ethernet cards installed and both are connected by direct cable. I have followed Brien Posey’s instructions on how to set them up, but to no avail. I have read the books on it, and tried tomake them talk by using the ‘ping’ command, but it just keeps coming up on the other computer: “No Network Found” Everything is set up according to instructions, as stated in: ‘Sharing an Internet connection through Windows 98’ in PC Troubleshooter Recource Guide. What am I doing wrong? Please help!
Thank You
John.