about noon
He no longer wrote to Leila , nor did he expect letters from her . He considered any nearer relation than friendship to be at an end , but to lose that also seemed to him a quite too needlessly cruel loss , and now for the first time on returning he approached Grey Pine without pleasure . He had telegraphed to have a horse sent to meet him at Westways Crossing , that he might ride on to the mills after seeing his uncle . Having taken the night train , it was about noon when Leila saw him coming up the avenue . She went forward to the roadside and as he sat in the saddle shook his hand , saying , `` I am sorry you were delayed , John . You will be disappointed to know that Uncle Jim and Aunt Ann left home yesterday . '' She wished that he had not quite so clearly shown the limits of his regret , as he said quietly , `` Well , I shall miss them , of course . ''