noon
Weariness brought him no rest ; if he slept , he woke with the start of a hunted soul , and found him asking that same dreadful question . When he looked in the mirror his own face queried of him , `` What profit ? '' and he was compelled to make a decided effort to prevent his tongue uttering the ever present thought . But at noon he would meet the defaulting bank committee , `` and doubtless his lawful business would take its proper share of his thought ! '' He told himself that it was the voice and face of his old friend that had affected him so vividly , and that if he went and chatted over old times with Willie , he would get rid of the disagreeable influence . The influence , however , went with him into the creditors ' committee room . The embarrassed officials had dreaded greatly the interview .