noon
He had an overcoat on his arm , a suit case in his hand . She saw him lift a finger to halt a passing car . It seemed incredible that he should go like that . Surely he would come back at noon or at dinner time . She had always felt that under his gentleness there was iron . But deep in her heart she had never believed him so implacable of purpose where she was concerned . She waited wearily , stirring with nervous restlessness from room to room .