noon
`` I am very sorry , Dolly , '' said I , `` but you will have to put up for me for once . Come . '' She gave a look of despair round about ; but there was no help . `` It is on the stroke of noon , '' I said . She submitted ; but it was with the worst grace I have ever seen . She accepted my ministrations ; but it was as if I were a machine : not one word did she speak , good or bad . By the time that she was mounted , her maid was up too , and the bags disposed .