noon
Shelton , doubly anxious , now that his efforts had lodged his client in a place of trust , fell , back on hoping for the best ; his instinct told him that , vagabond as Ferrand was , he had a curious self-respect , that would save him from a mean ingratitude . In fact , as Mrs. Dennant , who was by no means void of common-sense , foresaw , the arrangement worked all right . Ferrand entered on his duties as French tutor to the little Robinsons . In the Dennants ' household he kept himself to his own room , which , day and night , he perfumed with tobacco , emerging at noon into the garden , or , if wet , into the study , to teach young Toddles French . After a time it became customary for him to lunch with the house-party , partly through a mistake of Toddles , who seemed to think that it was natural , and partly through John Noble , one of Shelton 's friends , who had come to stay , and discovered Ferrand to be a most awfully interesting person he was always , indeed , discovering the most awfully interesting persons . In his grave and toneless voice , brushing his hair from off his brow , he descanted upon Ferrand with enthusiasm , to which was joined a kind of shocked amusement , as who should say , `` Of course , I know it 's very odd , but really he 's such an awfully interesting person . '' For John Noble was a politician , belonging to one of those two Peculiar parties , which , thoroughly in earnest , of an honesty above suspicion , and always very busy , are constitutionally averse to anything peculiar for fear of finding they have overstepped the limit of what is practical in politics .