midday
He had dreaded his father 's going away ; he longed for his return . The very next day the wish was fulfilled . News came up the hill that the plantation schooner had been sighted the evening before ; she was in the bay . By midday the travellers had arrived , and the climax of the great excitement was reached . Every one had wondered a hundred times and more what that first greeting would be like -- what words would be said . As a matter of fact , when the time really came , nobody said anything at all except Mr. Orban , who exclaimed when he caught sight of his wife , `` Darling , what is the matter ? You are looking ill . ''