noon
If he could not provide me with a suitable secretary , he was not the efficient man of business that he claimed to be . As to the absurdity of dictating to a mystery in a barrow bonnet , I would have no more of it . I do not consider myself an ill-tempered person , and my grandmother asserts that I have a very good temper indeed ; but I must admit that on Monday morning I felt a little cross , and when Sister Sarah and the nun entered my antechamber I bade them a very cold good-morning , and allowed the former to go without attempting any conversation whatever . The nun having arrived , I would not send her away ; but when the sub-mother came at noon , I intended to inform her that I did not any longer desire the services of the writing sister , and if she wished to know why I should tell her plainly . I would not say that I would as soon dictate to an inanimate tree-stump , but I would express that idea in as courteous terms as possible . For fifteen minutes I let the nun sit and wait . If her principles forbade idleness , I was glad to have a crack at her principles .