about noon
`` He came last night and left again to-day with a satchel . '' `` When did he leave ? '' I inquired . `` It was about noon , '' replied the landlady . `` Some one rang up the telephone , and asked for him ; and I reckon he got some news , for he left right away , although his rooms were taken by the week . He seemed considerable put out : I reckon it was a death . '' My heart sank ; perhaps my idiotic jest had indeed driven him away ; and again I asked myself , Why ?