noon
Her welcome was in her eyes . `` At last , '' he echoed , with a sigh of relief ; pressing her hand which she held out to him and raising it to his lips . He did not let it go , but passed it through his arm , and together they turned to walk up and down the veranda . `` You did n't expect me at noon , did you ? '' he asked , looking down at her . `` No ; you said you 'd be likely not to come ; but I hoped for you all the same . I thought you 'd manage it some way . ''