noon
In passing through London the best advice had been taken , but only to obtain the verdict that the case was beyond all skill , and that it was only a matter of weeks , when all that could be done was to give as much gratification as possible . The one thing that Ellen did care about was to be at home -- to have Emily with her , and once more see her school children , her church , and her garden . Tired as she was she had sprung up in the carriage at the first glimpse of Hillside spire , and had leant forward at the window , nodding and smiling her greetings to all the villagers . She had been taken at once to her room and her bed , but her father had promised to beg Emily to come up by noon on the morrow . Then he sat talking of local matters , not able to help showing what infinite relief it was to him to be at home , and what music to his ears was the Somersetshire dialect and deep English voice ` after all those thin , shrill , screeching foreigners . ' Poor Emily ! It was in mingled grief and gladness that she set off the next day , with the trepidation of one to whom sickness and decay were hitherto unknown .