noon
But at the very moment when he was making this speech his wife was returning empty-handed from the bakery . Bennie had been watching , waiting at the window for her , and when she saw him staring at her , saw the tears come into his innocent eyes , she took him in her arms and wept as she had not wept before . They had breakfasted on bread and water . It was now past noon and they were all hungry . She gave Bennie some of the baby 's milk , and then sat down to think . The door-bell rung . `` I was just passing by , '' said Mr. Hawkins , `` and thought I 'd stop and see if there was any show to get that room .