noon
Eben Tollman smiled . His manner was frankly gracious , while it escaped effusiveness . `` Well , now , Mr. Farquaharson , '' he suggested , `` I ca n't say as to that , but why do n't you come and investigate for yourself ? You can leave by the noon train to-morrow and be with us in a little over two hours -- I wish we could wait and see your play this evening , but I 'm afraid I must get back to-day . '' An instinctive sense of courtesy alone prevented Stuart 's jaw from dropping in amazement . He remembered Eben Tollman as a dour and illiberal bigot whom the community called mean and whom no man called gracious . Had Conscience , by the sunlight of her spontaneity and love wrought this miracle of change ?