Noon
He had thought of him so much awake , and seen him so repeatedly in dreams , he was confident of knowing him at sight . Imagining a stranger 's appearance is for the most part a gentle tribute of respect ; the mistakes we make are for the most part ludicrous . No one answering the preconception came . Noon , and still no one ; then , cast down and disappointed , Uel went home , ate something , held the usual childish dialogue with his little girl , and about mid afternoon crossed the street to the new residence . Great was his astonishment at finding a pyramid of coals glowing in the silver brazier , and the chill already driven from the sitting-room . Here -- there -- upstairs , downstairs -- the signs were of present occupancy . For a moment he thought the master had slipped by him or landed at some other port of the city .