noon
Some of the young men from up your way are so violent . '' `` It ai n't generally known yet , '' Hitty said as a parting shot when , Sheila 's hand in hers , she stood at the door preparatory to taking her triumphal departure . `` But Nancy is going to marry considerable money in addition to what she 's inherited . '' Nancy finding it impossible to spend an hour of her time idly and with no appointments before noon that day , was engaged in darning a basket full of slum socks that she had brought home from the tenements to occupy Hitty 's leisure moments . She was not very expert at this particular task , and the holes were so huge , and their method of behaving under scientific management so peculiar -- it is hardly necessary to say that Nancy knew the theory of darning perfectly -- that she was becoming more and more dissatisfied with her progress . Hitty 's unprecedented and taciturn donning of her best bonnet in the early morning hours , followed by her abrupt departure without explanation or apology , was also a little disconcerting to any one acquainted with her habits . Nancy was relieved to hear her key in the lock again , and put down her work to greet her .