noon
We 're fashionists to-day : dining out . ` Quarter after nine this morning I was passing by the Green wi ' the straw-cart , when old Jan Trueman calls after me , ` Have ` ee heard the news ? '' What news ? ' says I. ` Why , ' says he , ` me an ' my missus be going into the House this afternoon -- ca n't manage to pull along by ourselves any more , ' he says ; ` an ' we wants you an ' your father to drop in soon after noon an ' take a bite wi ' us , for old times ' sake . 'T is our last taste o ' free life , and we 'm going to do the thing fittywise , ' he says . '' The old man bent a meditative look on the village roofs below . `` We 'll pleasure ` en , of course , '' he said slowly .