twelve o'clock
She resolved to read every day , though each hour so spent must be taken from her husband , now piteously dependent upon her . He managed his morning paper very well , but when she read aloud to him he almost always went to sleep . Bertha was astir early the next morning , and quite ready to join the Fordyces as soon as breakfast was over ; but they did not come . She waited and watched the whole forenoon , and when at twelve o'clock they had neither called nor sent word , her day suddenly sank into nothingness , like a collapsed balloon , and she faced her tasks with a weakness of will not native to her . Haney and Williams were both down street discussing some business matter with Crego , and this left her hours the more empty and unsatisfactory . As the dinner-hour drew near she drove to fetch her husband , hoping for a glimpse of the Fordyces on the way , but even this comfort was denied her , and she ached with dull pain which she could not analyze . As Haney settled himself in the carriage , he said : `` Well , little woman , did ye have a good ride ? ''