noon
Then turning swiftly upon her heel and calling to Wolf , by way of explanation , `` The Schlumpergers and others are going to Prufening to-day , and they invited me to the May excursion too . It will be delightful , and I shall be glad if you 'll come with us . '' The leader of the choir saw his error , and with earnest warmth entreated her not to make his foolish old head suffer for it . `` If , after all , his Majesty should desire to hear the choir that noon , it would only be because -- '' Here he hesitated , and then reluctantly made the admission -- `` Because you yourself , you fair one , who turns everybody 's bead , are the ` unusual ' something which our sovereign lord would fain hear once more , if the gout does not -- '' Then Barbara laughed gaily in her clear , bell like tones , seized the clumsy Goliath 's long , pointed beard , and played all sorts of pranks upon him with such joyous mirth that , when she at last released him , he ran after her like a young lover to catch her ; but she had nimbler feet , and he was far enough behind when she called from the threshold : `` I wo n't let myself be caught , but since your pretty white goat 's beard bewitches me , I 'll be obliging to-day . '' She laughingly kissed her hand to him from the doorway as she spoke , and it seemed as though her yielding was to be instantly rewarded , for before she left the house Chamberlain de Praet appeared to summon the choir to the Golden Cross at one o'clock . Barbara 's head was proudly erect as she crossed the square . Wolf followed her , and , on reaching home , found her engaged in a little dispute with her father .