noon
Lessons had begun , when she entered the schoolroom , and as she seated herself , she stole a quick glance at Alan 's place . It was vacant . She had no opportunity to see Molly alone , that afternoon , and no mention of Alan was made . After school , she walked quickly home without waiting for the girls , and taking up a book , she sat for an hour , not speaking , not reading a word , but with her eyes fixed on the roof of the Hapgood house , going over and over the scenes of the noon , longing to run to Alan and beg his forgiveness , yet too proud to do so , so soon . How she wanted to tell her mother the whole story , and ask her how to undo the harm she had done ! But she dreaded to see her mother 's shocked , pained face , so she held her peace . The long hours till bedtime slowly dragged away , and for once Polly went up-stairs without her usual goodnight talk .