midday
She did not shed a tear , but her hands were firmly clasped in her lap and her face was as pale as death . As soon as the service was over she hurried into the vestry , helped her father off with his robes , and then supported his feeble steps back to the Rectory . She made no reference to the sermon , but endeavoured to divert her father 's mind into a different channel . She set about preparing their light midday repast , talked and chatted at the table , and exhibited none of the heaviness which pressed upon her heart . Only after she had coaxed her father to lie down , and knew that he had passed into a gentle sleep , did she give way to her pent-up feelings . How her heart did ache as she sat there alone in the room , and thought of her father standing in the pulpit uttering those pathetic words . Thursday , the day of the investigation , dawned bright and clear .