noon
But as the uproar continued evenly , he at length concluded they would do no more than talk , the outcome proving the accuracy of his surmise . Mrs. Effie , meantime , saw her opportunity and seized it with a cool readiness which I have often remarked in her . Belknap-Jackson , distressed beyond measure at the strange absence of his guest , had communicated with me by telephone several times without result . Not until near noon was I able to give him any light . Mrs. Effie had then called me to know what his lordship preferred for luncheon . Replying that cold beef , pickles , and beer were his usual mid-day fancy , I hastened to allay the fears of the Belknap-Jacksons , only to find that Mrs. Effie had been before me . `` She says , '' came the annoyed voice of the host , `` that the dear Earl dropped in for a chat with his brother and has most delightfully begged her to give him luncheon .