twelve o'clock
She wore a large gray bonnet , the sides and top of which extended far beyond her face , a light gray shawl , and a gray gown . She sat facing the window , with her left side turned toward me , and from no point of my study could I get a glimpse of her features . The sub-mother looked out of the window , which opened upon little more than the once husband-sheltering apple-tree , and then , after a general glance around the room , she looked at me , and for the first time addressed me . `` I will come for the sister at twelve o'clock , '' she said , and with that she followed my grandmother out of the room , and locked the door behind her . I stood and looked through the grating at my new secretary . I am not generally a diffident man , and have never been so with persons in my employment ; but now , I must admit , I did not feel at my ease . The nun sat perfectly motionless ; her hands were folded in her gray lap , and her gray bonnet was slightly bowed , so that I did not know whether she was gazing down at the table or out of the window .