noon
And always day and night one or more of the sweet-faced nuns stood at the head of that cot watching as might a guardian angel . Also it took only Nature 's food since from the first Cicely would nurse it , so that she could not mix any drug with its milk that would cause it to sleep itself away . So the days went on , bringing black wrath , despair almost , to the heart of Mother Megges , till at length there came the chance she sought . One fine evening , when the nuns were gathered at vespers , but as it happened not in the chapel , because since the tale of the hauntings they shunned the place after high noon , Cicely , whose strength was returning to her , asked Emlyn to change her garments and remake her bed . Meanwhile , the babe was given to Sister Bridget , who doted on it , with instructions to take it to walk in the garden for a time , since the rain had passed off and the afternoon was now very soft and pleasant . So she went , and there presently was met by the Flounder , who was supposed to be asleep , but had followed her , a person of whom the half-witted Bridget was much afraid . `` What are you doing with my babe , old fool ? ''