midday
She had to force herself into calm , and the old man at the toll-house on the bridge received her visual greeting as she passed , but , as she went slowly to the stables , there was added to her anxiety the thrilling knowledge that at last , and for the first time , she was going to take definite action . Her whole life had been a long and dull preparation for this day . She began to take a pleasure in her excitement : she had something to do ; she was delivered from the monotony of thought . On her way from the stables she met Charles Batty going home for his midday meal , and she stopped him . ` Charles ! ' she said . She presented to his appreciative eyes a very elegant figure in the habit looped up to show her high slim boots , with her thick plait of hair under the hard hat , her complexion defying the whiteness of her stock ; while to her he appeared with something of the aspect of an angel in a long top coat and a hat at the back of his head .