noon
One morning when she had it not , she was lying wearily stretched out on the couch which was hers by day and Winthrop 's by night . It was early June ; the sun was paying his first instalment of summer heat , and doing it as if he were behind-hand with pay-day . Winnie 's attic roof gave her a full share of his benefits . The hours of the morning had worn away , when towards noon a slow step was heard ascending the stairs . It was her hostess , come up to look after her . `` All alone ? '' said Mrs. Nettley .