noon
Through the half-open blinds its long shafts seemed to be searching the house for the lost guests , and making the hollow shell appear doubly empty . What a contrast to the dear dark days of mysterious seclusion and delicious security , lit by Lee 's laughter and the sparkling hearth , which had passed so quickly ! The forgotten outer world seemed to have returned to the house through those open windows and awakened its dwellers from a dream . The morning seemed interminable , and it was past noon , while they were deep in a sympathetic conference with Mrs. Scott , who had drawn a pathetic word-picture of the two friends perishing in the snow-drift , without flannels , brandy , smelling-salts , or jelly , which they had forgotten , when they were startled by the loud barking of `` Spot '' on the lawn before the house . The women looked hurriedly at each other . `` They have returned , '' said Mrs. Hale . Kate ran to the window .