noon
Nobody knew why ; but the fact remained that nobody was really merry . On the thirty-first , there was more hard work at the office . The last day of the old year was the day on which the balance was struck . Towards noon , Mr. Keller appeared in Mrs. Wagner 's office , and opened the safe . `` We must see about the Reserve Fund , '' he said ; `` I will count the money , if you will open the ledger and see that the entry is right . I do n't know what you think , but my idea is that we keep too much money lying idle in these prosperous times . What do you say to using half of the customary fund for investment ?