about noon
It puzzled her at first , but by and by -- `` Poor boy ! '' she said to herself , in that inmost heart where no true woman ever takes anyone into council , `` and both of you Southerners ! If that 's all you got , and you had to steal that , you 're both of you better than I 'd have been . '' When about noon she saw her husband 's eyes fixed on Barbara , sitting four seats away , she asked , with a sparkle : `` Thinking of Mr. March ? '' `` Yes , I 've guessed why he 's stayed behind . '' `` Have you ? That 's quick work -- for a man . ''