noon
It had always been a cherished theory of hers that there were certain offenses in manners which were keys to character . If persons committed them , it implied an essential strain of vulgarity in their dispositions . Judged by this theory , where would her lover come out ? Hunt managed to get into a political discussion with Mr. Gifford at table that noon , talking in a rather supercilious tone , and purposely making several bad blunders , which Mr. Gifford corrected rather pointedly . Annie could not help observing that her lover 's conceit and ignorance of the subjects discussed seemed about equal . `` How do you like your book ? '' he asked that evening .