midday
His trust in her had so changed the moment that she need not feel remorse for it . It had seemed quite possible that they could go on like this for ever , until the very instant that all was betrayed . She had had a terrible time with Richard , who was now seven years old . After their midday meal he had asked permission to go and spend the afternoon playing with some other boys on the marshes , and she had given it to him with a kiss , under which she had thought he seemed a little sullen . When Roger and she had nearly finished their tea he had appeared at the door , had stood there for a minute , and then , throwing up his head , had said doggedly : `` I 've had a lovely time at the circus . '' She had left the bread-knife sticking in midloaf and sat looking at him in silence . This was real drama , for she had refused to take them to the circus and forbidden him to go by himself because there was a measles epidemic in the neighbourhood .