noon
After a while Rupert went away without Charity noticing his leaving . The sun burned Val 's cheek where the paint had dried and he felt a trickle of moisture edge down his spine . But Charity worked on , thoroughly intent upon what was growing under her brushes . It must have been close to noon when she was at last interrupted . `` Hello there , Miss Biglow ! '' Two men stood below the terrace on a garden path . One of them waved his hat as Charity looked around .