noon
Nance 's prophecy regarding herself was more than fulfilled . Whatever scruples had assailed her at the start were soon overthrown by the on-rushing course of events . That first month in Mr. Clarke 's office proved to be a time of delightful madness . There were daily meetings with Mac at the noon hour , stolen chats on street corners , thrilling suppers with him and Monte at queer cafes , and rides after dark in that wonderful racer that proved the most enticing of playthings . Dan was as busy as Mac was idle ; Mr. Clarke was gloomy and preoccupied ; Mrs. Snawdor was in bed when Nance left home in the morning , and gone to work when she returned in the evening . The days flashed by in a glorious succession of forbidden joys , with nobody to interrupt the furious progress of affairs . Half of her salary Nance gave to her stepmother , and the other half she spent on clothes .