noon
He did not love her less because his great purpose had been taken . He knew how she would suffer , and the thought of it racked his heart ; he was tempted to take her into his confidence , but dared not , distrusting his own powers of resistance were she to say no . So he kissed her instead , with greater warmth than usual , and left the house with misty eyes . He got an extension of the noon hour and hurried down to the naval recruiting office . It was doing a brisk business in turning away applicants , and from the bottom of the line Raymond was not kept waiting long before he attained the top ; and from thence in his turn was led into an inner office . He was briefly examined as to his sea experience . Could he box the compass ?