noon
Cope was away from the house , and Rosalys , studying the envelope 's penmanship and even its postmark , found vague confirmation of her theory : some college girl -- one of his own students , probably -- was home on vacation just as he was . If so , a `` small town '' person of caste and character like themselves ; not brilliant , but safe . She set up the letter edgewise on the back parlor mantelpiece . When Cope came in at noon and saw the letter , his face fell . He put it in his pocket , sat silent at table , and disappeared as soon as the meal was over . Rosalys , whose pupils were off her mind for a few days and who had thought to spare , began to shade her theory . Cope read the letter in the low-ceiled back bedroom -LRB- the ceiling sloped away on one side -RRB- which had been his for so many years .