noon
`` We shall meet again very soon ! '' The other , too tired to wonder what his words might portend , returned to the house , and , lingering only to scrawl a note that he was not to be awakened at the usual time , hastened to bed . As he laid his weary head upon the pillow the cold grey of dawn was stealing in at the windows and brushing out the depths of night 's blacker shadows . It was noon when Sheard awoke -- to find his wife gently shaking him . He sat up with a start . `` What is it , dear ? '' `` A messenger boy .