noon
He turned his friendly smile upon her , without attempting to argue . They walked back over the bridge together . * * * * * The following day rose in wind and shower . But the February rain cleared away towards noon , and the high scudding clouds , with bright spaces between , suddenly began to prophesy Spring . From Hyde Park , down the Mall , and along Whitehall , the troops gathered and the usual crowd sprang up in their rear , pressing towards Parliament Square , or lining the route . Winnington had sent a note early to Delia by messenger ; but he expected no reply , and got none . All he could do was to hide a motor in Dean 's Yard , to hold a conference or two with the friendly bobby in Parliament Square , and then to wander about the streets looking restlessly at the show .