noon
He seemed to have quite recovered from his longings for a sea-life , and was almost as much interested in certain scientific studies as Sara herself . In fact , their autumn rambles together were pleasures whose memory lingered with both for many a year . One morning in November , Sara saw , among the letters on the desk , a creamy square with her own name upon it , and nearly had her breath taken away upon opening it , to find it was an invitation to a dinner given by one of the faculty in honor of a distinguished scientist from abroad , who was to deliver a lecture before the students the coming week . She glanced from it to Professor Macon , who was busy writing , but , seeing no solution of the matter in his face , resolved to consult his wife about it , and stopped in on her way home that noon for the purpose . `` Oh , you are invited , then ! '' cried Mrs. Macon with satisfaction , as Sara explained her errand . `` I was sure you would be . ''