midday
Her courage had reaped its natural harvest . Her labors had yielded her a peace of mind which at one time had seemed impossible . She could reflect calmly now , if not without a world of regret and sadness . Just now , in the brief interval of waiting for her father for their midday meal , her relaxed body permitted her thoughts to wander toward the city where Jeff was still held captive by toils she herself had been unable to weave about him . She had had her desire . She had pressed her less willing father into her service , and through him she had obtained the right to see that Jeff 's house was made ready . It had been a labor of love in its highest sense , for not one single detail of her efforts but had been a fresh laceration of her loyal soul .