noon
Detailed note , no ; perhaps not . But the sum total of such trifles -- expressing decorum , experience , worldly wisdom of the kind that makes itself felt as tact , and judgment that is better than genius as guarantee of success -- would unquestionably produce its effect . Promptly at ten thirty A.M. , Mr. John Hopkins called . He apologized for the unseemly hour , but said he was leaving town at noon . His first impression of Belle was a very delightful one . He found her refined and cultured and he recalled the advice of a certain old bishop : `` Never give a call to a clergyman unless you are satisfied to call his wife as well . '' There was no use denying it , the wife was as important as the preacher ; she could build up or disrupt the congregation , and so she made a double problem ; that is why Rome ruled the wives out altogether .