noon
She watched him get up and move slowly along the side of the room , picking his way . She watched him pause and move hesitating fingers down the backs of the chairs that he encountered . But when she saw him stop and finger the books on the little table by the window , she crept back to her kitchen -- and rattled still more loudly the pots and pans in the sink . Just before the noon meal Keith appeared once more at the kitchen door . `` Susan , would it bother you very much if I ate out here -- with you ? '' he asked . `` With me ?