midday
`` I should not care in the least what happened to you , today or at any other time , '' she declared . After that , Somerfield held his peace , and a somewhat strained silence followed . Soon they reached the outskirts of London . Long before midday they slackened speed , after crossing Battersea Bridge , and the two cars drew alongside . They had arranged to separate here , but , curiously enough , no one seemed to care to start the leave taking . `` You see the time ! '' the Prince exclaimed .