noon
Why should I eat out my heart with envy ? Is it not possible that I might be a less clever woman than I am , and a less lucky one ? '' On my part I have my pupils , -- French pupils who take lessons in English , German , or Italian ; English or American pupils who generally learn French , and , upon the whole , I do not suffer from lack of patrons . It is my habit when Clélie is at work upon a copy in one of the great galleries to accompany her to the scene of her labor in the morning and call for her at noon , and , in accordance with this habit , I made my way to the Louvre at midday upon one occasion three years ago . I found my wife busy at her easel in the _ Grande Galerie _ , and when I approached her and laid my hand upon her shoulder , as was my wont , she looked up with a smile and spoke to me in a cautious undertone . `` I am glad , '' she said , `` that you are not ten minutes later . Look at those extraordinary people . ''