noon
`` There 's no question of daring . Come with me , if you wish to . '' They walked to the house almost in silence . It was noon ; Mallard was busy in his studio . Having spoken a word with him , Miriam rejoined her brother in the sitting-room . He had thrown himself on a couch , and there he lay without speaking until luncheon-time , when Mallard 's entrance aroused him . The artist could not be cordial , but he exercised a decent hospitality .