noon
`` You mean she 's out -- she 's not in the house ? '' `` I mean she has n't come yet . '' As she spoke Ralph felt a sudden strength and hardness in his brain and body . Everything in him became as clear as noon . `` But it was before Miss Hicks left that you told me you 'd sent for her , and that she 'd be here the following week . And you say Miss Hicks has been gone three weeks . '' This was what he had worked out in his head , and what he meant to say to his sister ; but something seemed to snap shut in his throat , and he closed his eyes without speaking .