noon
Under Oh Joy and his Chinese staff the Big House ran so frictionlessly and so perfectly , that entertainment of guests seemed little part of the host 's duties . The guests largely entertained themselves and one another . Dick rarely appeared , even for a moment , until lunch , and Paula , now carrying out her seclusion program , never appeared before dinner . `` Rest cure , '' Dick laughed one noon , and challenged Graham to a tournament with boxing gloves , single-sticks , and foils . `` And now 's the time , '' he told Graham , as they breathed between bouts , `` for you to tackle your book . I 'm only one of the many who are looking forward to reading it , and I 'm looking forward hard . Got a letter from Havely yesterday -- he mentioned it , and wondered how far along you were . ''