noon
We two shall not be so very old when I come home again . You will be twenty , and I will be twenty-five . '' She smiled up in his face in her old arch manner , but made no reply in words . When they had gone through all the rooms , as it was some time after noon , they took leave of Greenbushes and of the old servants , and set out to return to Mondreer . They varied their walk by going down the wooded hill to the bay and walking along the shore until they reached Mondreer , and up the wooded hill again to the mansion . `` This is our last walk by the shore for three years to come ; but it is also the happiest we have had since my return from sea ; for now we fully understand and trust one another , '' said Le , as they re-entered the house . The short winter afternoon was drawing to a close .