Noon
Of this no one said a word , nor did they ask me anything , or seem to observe , far less to wonder . But when they passed me , one and another and another squeezed my hand or patted my arm or gave me their unwonted `` dear . '' `` What gentlefolk they are , '' my stranger said . `` Noon lunch '' was finished , and I had seen Calliope go with Madame Proudfit to the library and close the door , and we were all gathered in the hall , where Miss Clementina had opened a trunk and was showing us some pretty things , when some one else crossed the veranda and appeared in the doorway . And there was Abel , come with my wild roses . I do not think , however , that it can have occurred to Abel that I was in the room . Nor that any of the others were there , intent on the pretty things of Miss Clementina 's trunk .