noon
`` No , '' he said to himself , as he stood gazing at the reflected face before him ; `` it would n't do ; it would n't do . She 's too beautiful ; and I 'm -- too old . '' And he seated himself in his worn old easy-chair , and took up the book he had laid aside an hour before . It was less than two weeks after the Reverend Gabriel 's call upon Louise , that Mr. Burnam came up from his office , one noon , with a letter in his hand . `` Well , daught , '' he called , as Allie ran out to meet him ; `` where 's mamma ? I have some news for her . '' `` News !