midday
I had a sudden dazzling vision of the great truth that the people of the Five Towns have no particular use for half-measures in any department of life . So I accepted the final judgement with meekness . I returned to London that evening , my work done , and the municipality happily flattered by my judgement of the slip-decorated dishes . Mr Brindley had found time to meet me at the midday meal , and he had left his office earlier than usual in order to help me to drink his wife 's afternoon tea . About an hour later he picked up my little bag , and said that he should accompany me to the little station in the midst of the desert of cinders and broken crockery , and even see me as far as Knype , where I had to take the London express . No , there are no half-measures in the Five Towns . Mrs Brindley stood on her doorstep , with her eldest infant on her shoulders , and waved us off .