midday
And now I have reached a point which prompts me to ask the question at the head of this sketch , `` Who Shall Explain It ? '' I have my own theory , which I shall submit , with no little diffidence , later on . It was on Saturday afternoon , the ninth of last August , that I became a victim to a greater depression of spirits than I had known for years . I felt nothing of it during the forenoon , but it began shortly after the midday meal and became more oppressive with each passing minute . I sat down at my desk and wrote for a short time . I continually sighed and drew deep inspirations , which gave me no relief . It was as if a great and increasing weight were resting on my chest .