noon
Elizabeth did not realize that she had done more than waste useful strength on useless tasks . She had yet to find out that it would have been cheaper to have left the entire contents of the cellar to sour or mould than to have worked on after she could do no more in comfort . It took Doctor Morgan to point out to her that farmers and their wives place undue value on a dollar 's worth of milk , and that they support those of his profession at a far greater price than their butter would cost if they fed the milk to the pigs ; also that they fill the asylums with victims and give younger women the chance to spend what they have worked to save after they are transplanted to other regions . They had been obliged to send for the doctor at noon . The name of peritonitis did not impress the young wife with any importance when the old doctor warned her to lie still and rest . The fierce pain was eased by getting off her feet and she was so glad to rest that she took his advice , but she had had no illness and little experience with chronic ailments . He hoped to pull her through without the threatened disaster , but warned her solemnly .