noon
called Miss Rosalie , and before Sylvia could respond her loyal playmate had turned obediently back to the house . Sylvia stepped out on the street , her eyes a little blurred by tears , but greatly comforted by Grace 's assuring words of friendship . She did not want to go home and tell her mother what had happened , and show her Miss Patten 's note , for she knew that her mother would be troubled and unhappy . Suddenly she decided to go to her father 's warehouse and tell him , and go home with him at noon . She was sure her father would think she had done right . She turned and walked quickly down King Street , and in a short time she was near the wharves and could see the long building where her father stored the cotton he purchased from the planters . The wharves were piled high with boxes and bales , and there were small boats coming in to the wharves , and others making ready to depart .