twelve o'clock
She compared Fanny 's affectionate expressions , with Elizabeth 's sharp and hasty manner ; the admiration which her friends had made rather too evident , with the wholesome though severe criticisms she sometimes met with at home ; the quietness at Dykelands , with the constant bustle at the Vicarage ; and ended , by thinking Mrs. Woodbourne the only person of the family who possessed any gentleness or kindness , and making up her mind that Dykelands was the only pleasant place in England , and that she herself was a most ill-used person , whose merits were not in the least appreciated . Such were the feelings which gradually took possession of her mind , while she was writing her answer to Fanny 's letter ; and by the time she had finished , had brought her into that agreeable frame , which is disposed to be offended with the first person who does not act up to its expectations . Katherine 's study , through the whole morning , was to avoid a private interview with Mrs. Woodbourne ; and she really shewed considerable ingenuity in evading her . If Mrs. Woodbourne called her , she answered , ` Yes , Mamma , I am coming directly , ' but she took care not to come till she knew that her mamma was no longer alone ; if Lady Merton wanted anything which she had left up-stairs , Katherine would officiously volunteer to fetch it , when particularly told that she was not wanted ; if Mrs. Woodbourne moved to the door , and made signs to Katherine to follow her , she worked with double assiduity , and never looked up unless to speak to Rupert or to Harriet ; and thus she contrived to elude the reproof she expected , until the whole party , except the two gentlemen , met at twelve o'clock for an early luncheon , so that there was no longer any danger that Mrs. Woodbourne would find an opportunity of speaking to her , at present . The three children were to dine late with the rest of the party , and were in high glee at the prospect of the afternoon 's amusement ; Elizabeth seemed to have recovered her spirits ; Harriet was as noisy as ever ; and Lucy , if possible , a little quieter than was her wont ; Anne , as usual , ready to be amused with anything ; and Rupert quite prepared to amuse everyone . Fido was again mentioned , and Rupert , who had heard about half of the history of his loss , suggested the possibility of his having been despatched by the railroad to London , there to be converted into sausages . Harriet , after many exclamations of ' O Mr. Merton ! '