noon
He rose , bowing deeply , from a European standpoint too deeply . `` Kindness is a spiritual investment , '' he said , `` which returns us interest tenfold . If I can be sure of Mrs. McMurdoch 's acceptance , I will request permission to take my leave now , for I have an urgent business appointment to keep , after which I will call for you . Can you be ready by noon ? '' `` Yes , we shall be ready . '' Phil Abingdon held out her hand in a curiously hesitant manner . The image of Paul Harley had become more real , more insistent .