noon
`` It lay beside a desk near the top of the room . I see the name has been torn out , so I can not tell who is the owner . I must request her , however , to step forward and take possession of her property . If there is the slightest attempt at concealment , the whole matter will be laid before Mrs. Willis at noon to-day . '' When Miss Good had finished her little speech , she held up the book in its green binding and looked down the room . Hester did not know why her heart beat -- no one glanced at her , no one regarded her ; all eyes were fixed on Miss Good , who stood with a severe , unsmiling , but expectant face . `` Come , young ladies , '' she said , `` the owner has surely no difficulty in recognizing her own property .