noon
Richard said to himself , thankfully , as he closed the door . He carried a memory of Harriet 's earnest eyes , her low , eager voice , her encouraging arm about Nina 's shoulders . They were all at breakfast when he came down the next morning . His mother , in one of the lacy , flowing robes she always wore before noon , laid down a letter half-read , to smile at him . Ward , his dark head very sleek above his informal summer costume , was deep in talk with Bruce Hopper , who had evidently ridden over from the country club , and was in a well-fitting , shabby jersey that became his somewhat lanky frame . Nina , somewhat silent , but interested in everything , wore an expression of quiet self-possession that her father found touching . Nina was growing up , he thought .