noon
`` Yes -- if you do not mind , Mr. Colpus , to speak a little lower . She is in bed and asleep . '' `` Asleep ? '' `` She came in at noon , rather excited and queer , and her hand burnin ' like a hot chestnut , so I gave her a dish o ' tea and sent her upstairs . I thought it might be fever -- and her eyes were that strange and unsteady -- '' `` It is rather odd , '' said the constable , `` but my daughter observed how calm and clear her eye was -- only an hour before . '' `` Maybe , '' said Mrs. Chivers , `` and yet she was that won ` erful wanderin ' in her speech -- '' `` You do n't think she was shamming ? '' `` Shammin ' !