midday
Not a day passed but she called in , morning and afternoon , to inquire after the patient , generally the bearer of some home-made delicacy , and sometimes to take her post by the sick bed while Miss Crisp snatched an hour or so of well-earned repose . As for Horace , he could hardly be persuaded to leave the sick chamber . But the stern necessity of work , greater than ever now at this time of special emergency , compelled him to take the rest necessary for his own health and daily duties . With an effort he dragged himself to the office every morning , and like an arrow he returned from it every evening , and often paid a flying visit at midday . His good-natured companions voluntarily relieved him of all late work , and , indeed , every one who had in the least degree come into contact with the gentle patient seemed to vie in showing sympathy and offering help . Young Gedge was amongst the most eager of the inquirers at the house . He squandered shillings in flowers and grapes , and sometimes even ran the risk of disgrace at the _ Rocket _ by lingering outside the house during a doctor 's visit , in order to hear the latest bulletin before he went back to work .