noon
In one care were sitting three handsome women , in the society of a black-bearded , taciturn , morose man . Horizon and he would exchange strange phrases in some special jargon . The women looked at him uneasily , as though wishing , yet not daring , to ask him about something . Only once , toward noon , did one of them allow herself to utter : `` Then that 's the truth ? That which you said about the place ? ... You understand -- I 'm somewhat uneasy at heart ! '' `` Ah , what do you mean , Margarita Ivanovna ?