noon
Gifford was almost always with the little gentleman , and scarcely left him , even to walk through the garden to the grassy street with Lois . On Sunday , however , late in the afternoon , he went home with her ; for Mr. Dale , with whom she had come , was going to sit awhile with Mr. Denner , and Gifford felt he could be spared . The hour was full of that peculiar Sunday afternoon quiet which seems to subdue even the crickets and the birds . There was a breath of fragrance from some fresh-cut grass , still wet from a noon thunder shower , which had left the air crystal-clear and fresh . Their shadows stretched far ahead along the road , where the dust was still damp , though the setting sun poured a flood of yellow light behind them . Lois walked as though very tired ; she scarcely noticed her companion , and did not speak except to answer his questions . `` Is n't there any change in Mrs. Forsythe ? ''