noon
Kate had deliberately absented herself from her post as honorary secretary ever since the decision to fell the old pine had been arrived at . It was her method of protest against the outrage . But Mrs. John Day , quite undisturbed , had appointed a fresh secretary , and Kate 's defection had been allowed to pass as a matter of no great importance . The noon meal was on the table when Helen came in . Kate was at her little bureau writing . The moment her sister entered the room she closed the desk and locked it . Helen saw the action and almost listlessly remarked upon it .