noon
The mill was at the outskirts of the town . It was a busy place , perhaps the busiest in the whole of the Eighth District , and in it were employed a large number of men . The office was a small brick edifice , separated from the main buildings , in which the noise of machinery was so great that one speaking could scarcely be heard . The manager was in , Kenneth and Beth learned , but could not see them until he had signed the letters he had dictated for the noon mail . So they sat on a bench until a summons came to admit them to Mr. Marshall 's private office . He looked up rather ungraciously , but motioned them to be seated . `` Mr. Forbes , of Elmhurst ? ''