noon
`` J-j-just good-by , '' said Mellin . And with that young Cooley was gone . IX . Expiation A multitudinous clangor of bells and a dozen neighboring chimes rang noon ; then the rectangular oblongs of hot sunlight that fell from the windows upon the carpet of Mellin 's room began imperceptibly to shift their angles and move eastward . From the stone pavement of the street below came the sound of horses pawing and the voices of waiting cabmen ; then bells again , and more bells ; clamoring the slow and cruel afternoon into the past . But all was silent in Mellin 's room , save when , from time to time , a long , shuddering sigh came from the bed . The unhappy young man had again drawn the coverlet over his head , but not to sleep : it was more like a forlorn and desperate effort to hide , as if he crept into a hole , seeking darkness to cover the shame and fear that racked his soul .