midday
It was evident to her that this feverish longing for change was mere selfish ambition , a desire to be better placed in the world . She had met with the same kind of feeling too often in her rustic _ protégées _ of the cook and house-maid class , who , when they had learnt all she could teach them , were eager to spread their wings and soar to the servants ' halls of Mayfair , and the society of powdered footmen . ` Nine o'clock , ' said Miss Wendover , wrapping her shawl round her , and rising to go into the drawing-room as the church clock chimed silver-sweet across the elm tops and the misty meadows . ` Too late for this evening 's post ; but I will write to Lady Micheldever to-night , and my letter will be ready for the midday mail to-morrow . I hope she has not found anybody yet . ' ` You are too good , ' faltered Ida , as they went into the lamplit room . ` I am only doing my duty , ' replied Miss Wendover . '