about noon
The heart of a woman , even when most disapproving , is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children . She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him , after all , when she saw the little ones clustering about him , one on his knees and one on his shoulders . `` There is a sort of instinct in children , '' she said afterwards : and most people would be in this respect of Mrs. Wilberforce 's opinion . And about noon the rector took his guest to call at the Warren . Though this was not what an ordinary stranger would have been justified in doing , yet when you consider that he had known Theo at Oxford and entertained the ladies at Commem. , you will understand why the rector took this liberty . `` I suppose I may ask the girls and Theo to come over in the afternoon , '' said Mr. Wilberforce . `` Oh , certainly , Herbert , you may _ ask _ them , '' she replied , but with a feeling that if Minnie accepted it would be as if the pillars of the earth were shaken ; though indeed in the circumstances with a young man on her hands to be amused for all the lingering afternoon , Mrs. Wilberforce herself would have been very willing that they should come .