noon
I needed nothing more than this to feel the full force of Mrs. Grose 's comparison , and , catching my pupil in my arms , covered her with kisses in which there was a sob of atonement . Nonetheless , the rest of the day I watched for further occasion to approach my colleague , especially as , toward evening , I began to fancy she rather sought to avoid me . I overtook her , I remember , on the staircase ; we went down together , and at the bottom I detained her , holding her there with a hand on her arm . `` I take what you said to me at noon as a declaration that _ you 've _ never known him to be bad . '' She threw back her head ; she had clearly , by this time , and very honestly , adopted an attitude . `` Oh , never known him -- I do n't pretend _ that ! _ '' I was upset again .