midday
`` I believe you are jealous of the malgamite works , '' he said , with his curt laugh . `` Perhaps I am , '' she admitted , without meeting his glance ; and Roden rode ahead , with a gleam of satisfaction in his heavy eyes . So Mrs. Vansittart found herself within the gates of the malgamite works , riding quietly on the silent sand , at the heels of Roden 's horse . The workmen 's dinner-bell had rung as they approached , and now the factories were deserted , while within the cottages the midday meal occupied the full attention of the voluntary exiles . For the directors had found it necessary , in the interests of all concerned , to bind the workers by solemn contract never to leave the precincts of the works without permission . Roden did not speak , but led the way across an open space now filled with carts , which were to be loaded during the day in readiness for an early despatch on the following morning . Mrs. Vansittart followed without asking questions .