noon
Wilson had quickly chosen a position from which he could watch the girl without running much risk of being seen by her , and he remained there hoping she would raise her veil and betray her face . But she disappointed him . After a matter of twenty minutes she disappeared , and although he stayed at his post half an hour longer , she came no more . Toward noon he dropped in at the Judge 's and talked with Mrs. Pratt about the great event of the day , the levee of the distinguished foreigners at Aunt Patsy Cooper 's . He asked after her nephew Tom , and she said he was on his way home , and that she was expecting him to arrive a little before night ; and added that she and the Judge were gratified to gather from his letters that he was conducting himself very nicely and creditably -- at which Wilson winked to himself privately . Wilson did not ask if there was a newcomer in the house , but he asked questions that would have brought light-throwing answers as to that matter if Mrs. Pratt had had any light to throw ; so he went away satisfied that he knew of things that were going on in her house of which she herself was not aware . He was now waiting for the twins , and still puzzling over the problem of who that girl might be , and how she happened to be in that young fellow 's room at daybreak in the morning .