noon
These she would finish and take to Mangan . When he saw how tired she was , he would accept her excuses and give her another day for the large and more important piece . She did not have to leave the house until four o'clock , and as Martha was to be out most of the day , she could work on without distraction of any kind . When , at noon , Martha left her , with a caressing pat of the hand , promising to be back in time for supper , the anxious , weary woman picked up her needle again , her fingers darting in and out like shuttles , her shoulders aching with the strain , her mind still intent on the problems which had tortured her all night , and only rousing herself when the clock in a neighboring tower struck four . Then she gathered up her work , wrapped the whole in the same sheet of tissue-paper in which the several pieces had been packed , and , adjusting her hat and cloak , started for Rosenthal 's . Mangan , who was in charge of the department , had been waiting for her in a small room off the repair shop , and as he caught sight of her frail figure making her way toward him , rose to greet her . `` Well , I 'm glad you 've come , '' he began , as she reached his desk .