noon
`` But you 're too late . '' These mysterious words , and the speechlessness of Audrey , upset him again . `` I was away in Somersetshire for a little fishing , '' he said , after he had deplored the death of Mr. Moze , the illness of Mrs. Moze , and the bereavement of Miss Moze , and had congratulated Miss Moze on the protective friendship of his old friend , Miss Ingate . `` I was away for a little fishing , and I only heard the sad news when I got back home at noon to-day . I came over at once . '' He cleared his throat and looked first at Audrey and then at Miss Ingate . He felt that he ought to be addressing Audrey , but somehow he could not help addressing Miss Ingate instead .