noon
`` May I take you to my husband ? '' `` Not now , Frau Van der Werff , for I must attend to my men outside , but to-morrow , if you will allow me . '' Maria found the dishes smoking on the dining-table . Her family had waited for her , and , heated by the rapid walk at noon , excited by her unexpected meeting with the young German , she opened the door of the study and called to her husband : `` Excuse me ! I was detained . It is very late . '' `` We were very willing to wait , '' he answered kindly , approaching her .