noon
The custom had not been neglected on the present occasion , and the rector of All Faith and his wife were expected to come . Young Dr. Ingle , in consideration of his betrothal to Natalie Meeke , had been invited to meet the Peters . These were the only arrangements for keeping New Year 's Day at Mondreer . As there was no church service on that day , the party from the rectory arrived early in the forenoon , for the people of the neighborhood , even on festive occasions , kept the healthful , old-fashioned hours , and dined soon after noon . The rector and his wife were a fine old couple , without children at home , and very much devoted to each other . Mrs. Anglesea , efflorescent in a cardinal-red damasse silk , and heavy gold jewelry , seized upon the clerical pair instantly as her own especial prey , because they were new acquaintances , who had not heard the story of her marriage , her robbery and her desertion by her husband , from her own lips . Mrs. Anglesea took so much pleasure in telling her tale that Wynnette , in her pungent way , said that the lady from the Wild Cats ' Gulch was a reincarnation of the spirit of the Ancient Mariner , with the variation that to her every new acquaintance was a `` wedding guest , '' to whom she was bound to tell her story .