about noon
He stooped and kissed his wife and then went out whistling an old hunting tune . He went to the stables , mounted his cob and ambled all over his plantation , looking after such work as could only go on at this season of the year -- mending of fences , repair of outbuildings , of agricultural implements , and so forth . Then he came back to the house and hung about it in hope of meeting his daughter . At length , about noon , he saw her out on the lawn , warmly clothed in her close-fitting brown cloth coat , and her quaint brown beaver poke bonnet tied down tightly as if for a walk in the wind on this bright , breezy December day . He quickly slipped on his overcoat , snatched his hat and gloves , and hurried after her . He overtook her just as she reached the east gate opening upon the path that led down to the shore . '' ` Where are you going , my pretty maid ?