noon
He had heard only recently of the tutor 's avowed proclivities for tearing down and stirring up the existing order of things , and here was conclusive evidence that the gifted Elmendorf proposed the complete rebuilding on his own lines of the fabric that was the revered father 's happiest work , even while incidentally devoting some hours each day to stirring up a similar overturning in society . That Elmendorf was not destitute of practical business views , however , may be made apparent from the fact that when Cranston had intimated a desire to have him name the sum he would consider a fair compensation for the work , intending then to add a liberal percentage to the estimate , the scholar replied that it would have to depend upon the number of days and hours it took from other avocations , and it was now evident that a long engagement was in contemplation . Closing the door after him and bidding Mrs. McGrath allow no one to enter the study until his return unless Mr. Elmendorf should come in , Major Cranston went in search of him . It was barely noon , up to which hour he was supposed to be closeted with his pupil at the Allisons ' home . Then after a light luncheon it was his wont to sally forth on a tramp , Cary starting , but rarely returning , with him . When Cranston was at head-quarters a fortnight previous , the officers were speaking of the almost daily appearance about two o'clock of Mr. Elmendorf , who was possessed with a desire to get into the general 's office and impress that magnate with his views concerning the impending crisis . The general , however , being forearmed , was always too busy to accord the interview , one experience having proved more than enough .