noon
Then he took up his time-table . A quarter of an hour later he was in a hansom on his way to the station . With all his impracticable fads and fancies , he was not one to let the grass grow under his feet . It was quite early , barely noon , when he walked up the hill leading to the Manor House ; nevertheless Mrs. Godfrey was evidently on the watch for him . `` Good man , '' she said approvingly ; `` I knew you would not fail me ; '' and then she led him into the morning room , her own special sanctum , which opened into her husband 's study . Colonel Godfrey always called it his study , though it may be doubted if he ever studied anything but his Times , Spectator , and his three favourite authors , Thackeray , Dickens , and Kingsley ; but his wife was a great reader , and there were few modern books that she could not discuss and criticise . `` And now , my dear lady , what is wrong ? ''