noon
How is your sick woman ? '' `` Better , '' he answered , as he followed her into the room . `` Oh , Helen , it is good to be at home . I have not seen you since noon . '' She laughed , and then insisted that he should sit still , and let her bring his supper into the study , and eat it there by the fire . He watched her with a delicious luxury of rest and content ; for he was very tired and very happy . She put a little table beside him , covered with a large napkin ; and then she brought a loaf of brown bread and some honey , with a mould of yellow butter , and last a little covered dish of chicken .