noon
Mrs. Bett remarked at intervals , like the burden of a comic song . `` Hush , mother , '' Lulu said , troubled , her ethical refinements conflicting with her honesty . `` Speak the truth and shame the devil , '' Mrs. Bett contended . When dinner was ready at noon , Di did not appear . A little earlier Lulu had heard her moving about her room , and she served her in expectation that she would join them . `` Di must be having the ` tantrim ' this time , '' she thought , and for a time said nothing . But at length she did say : `` Why does n't Di come ?