noon
And he had meant to marry her . He laughed again and took his way homeward . His mother was waiting to give George his breakfast . Whether he chose to lie in bed until noon or to walk twenty miles at dawn , she smiled a joyful approval . But neither the crisp toast , nor the fried chicken , nor any of her funny stories , would penetrate the blackness of his gloom . `` Oh , by the way ! '' she said ; `` here is a letter that came by last night 's mail .