noon
Nothing new happened in the family before the evening came for what Maria called the `` Band meeting . '' Matilda went about between home and the school extremely quiet and demure , and reserved rather more than ordinary ; but reserve was Matilda 's way . Only Maria knew , and it irritated her , that her little sister was careful to lock herself up alone with her Bible , or rather with somebody else 's Bible , for Matilda had none of her own , for a good long time every morning and evening . Maria thought sometimes she knew of her doing the same thing at the noon recess . She said nothing , but she watched . And her watching made her certain of it . Matilda unlocked her door and came out always with a face of quiet seriousness and a spirit in armour .