noon
The housekeeper and most of the men and maids had accompanied their mistress to help in the kitchen and to wait upon the visitors . Deep silence reigned throughout the great empty house , but Kuni 's heart had never throbbed so loudly . If Lienhard came now , her fate would be decided , and she knew that he must come . Just before noon , he really did rap with the knocker on the outer door . He wanted the christening gift , which Frau Schurstab had forgotten to take for the infant . The money was in the chest in the matron 's room . Kuni led the way .