midday
She was already foretasting the dreariness of life without the critical , corrective , and withal stimulating presence of her elder child . The Thorpes ' going , after a last Christmas together at Storm , left Kate and Jacqueline more than ever dependent upon each other . If Philip had been more exacting as a husband , he might well have complained of his wife 's constant attendance on her mother in those days . But he was so far from complaining that it was at his suggestion Jacqueline formed the habit of taking her midday meal at Storm . It was the first real breaking of ties in Kate 's little family , and he knew his lady well enough to realize that her cheerful , quiet exterior concealed a very lonely heart just then . So lonely , indeed , that Kate more than once considered the idea of asking Philip and Jacqueline to come and live with her at Storm , for she missed her old-time confidential talks with Philip almost as much as she missed Jemima . But Philip was spared at least that test of devotion .