noon
She kept up her cheerful manner till she had parted from the rest for the night , but wet her solitary pillow with tears ere her anxiety and loneliness were forgotten in sleep . Her spirits revived with the new day , for the sun rose clear and bright , the sea was calm , and she said to herself , `` Oh , surely the Edna will come in before night , and Ned and I will be together again ! '' Many times that day both she and his mother scanned intently the wide waste of waters , and watched with eager eyes the approach of some distant sail , hoping it might prove the one they looked and longed for . But their hopes were disappointed again and again ; noon passed , and the Edna was not in sight . `` Mamma , what can be keeping them ? '' sighed Zoe , as the two stood together on the brow of the hill , still engaged in their fruitless search . `` Not necessarily anything amiss , '' Elsie answered .