nearly noon
Every cruel taunt had left a ghastly wound and only work of the hardest kind could ease the hurt . Fanny walked through the streets as though she had just recovered from a long illness . Everybody who saw her hurried out to greet her and talk but she only smiled in a pitiful sort of way and hastened on . It was nearly noon and she wanted to avoid the midday bustle and the crowds of children . She had set out the children 's dinner but she hoped to get back before they reached home . She came out of the bank and stood on the bank steps . She looked down the streets .