noon
Upon examination , Lyndsay found that the salt-water had penetrated into all their trunks and cases ; and that everything would have to be unpacked and hung out to dry . This was indeed dull work , the disappointment and loss attending upon it rendering it doubly irksome . While Flora and her friend Mary superintended this troublesome affair , Lyndsay lost no time in writing to the steamboat company , informing them of his disastrous attempt to meet the _ Soho _ ; and the loss he had incurred by missing the vessel . They stated in reply , that the boat had been wrecked at the mouth of the Thames , in the gale ; and that another boat would supply her place on the Sunday following ; that she would pass the town at noon , and hoist a red flag at her stern , as a signal for them to get on board . This was Thursday , and the intervening days passed heavily along . A restless fever of expectation preyed upon Flora . She could settle to no regular occupation ; she knew that the delay only involved a fresh and heavy expense , that they must ultimately go , and she longed to be off .