midday
She could only sigh from time to time and wonder whether it was a good thing or the contrary that Adela had no baby in her trials . Mutimer did not come to the Manor for luncheon . Rodman , who had been spending an hour at the works , brought word that business pressed ; a host of things had to be unexpectedly finished off and put in order . He , Alice , and Adela made pretence of a midday meal ; then he went into the library to smoke a cigar and meditate . The main subject of his meditation was an interview with Adela which he purposed seeking in the course of the afternoon . But he had also half-a-dozen letters of the first importance to despatch to town by the evening post , and these it was well to get off hand . He had finished them by half-past three .