noon
They have learned to lean upon the very restrictions that cramp them , until the idea of cutting free seems as impossible as for the bulky woman to sever the stay-lace that at once suffocates and supports her . Martin Cortright stayed to luncheon to-day . Not that it is an unusual occurrence , but he wished to have a long afternoon to finish reading a certain portion of his manuscript to Miss Lavinia before her flitting in the morning . We were seated at the table when she came in hurriedly , apologizing for being late , saying that she had become so absorbed in finishing her letters that she did not realize that it was even noon . I did not look at her particularly until a few moments later , when Martin , after fussing with his bread a good deal , looked up and said , with a charming smile , `` What a very becoming gown you have on to-day , Miss Lavinia . '' `` Yes , '' said father , `` I was thinking precisely the same thing myself , so you see that in spite of our condemning your sex for paying so much attention to clothes , we men are the first to note the result of them . '' Miss Lavinia looked puzzled .