noon
`` He ? She ? It ? '' `` A girl , who will in all probability arrive before noon to-day . '' `` Peyton ! '' The rose-coloured crochet web fell into her lap , and deep dissatisfaction spread its sombre leaden banners over her telltale face . `` I regret it more keenly than you possibly can ; and , Elise , if I could have seen the mother before it was too late , I should have declined this painful responsibility . ''