noon
She went foolishly out , the office boy deferentially swinging the door for her , and gladly sank into the obscuring crowd . It was a severe setback to her recently pleased mental state . Now she walked quite aimlessly for a time , turning here and there , seeing one great company after another , but finding no courage to prosecute her single inquiry . High noon came , and with it hunger . She hunted out an unassuming restaurant and entered , but was disturbed to find that the prices were exorbitant for the size of her purse . A bowl of soup was all that she could afford , and , with this quickly eaten , she went out again . It restored her strength somewhat and made her moderately bold to pursue the search .